Lesson Overview
Topic: Examination of the proposed federal deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago. Students explore the roots and resistance to this proposal, relevant legal and constitutional frameworks, varied media portrayals, and civic ramifications.
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he will direct federal law enforcement intervention to combat crime in Chicago and Baltimore, despite staunch opposition from state and local officials in both cities.
Asked by reporters in the Oval Office about sending National Guard troops to Chicago, Trump said, “We’re going in,” but added, “I didn’t say when.”
“I have an obligation,” the president said. ”This isn’t a political thing.” PBS Shows
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will:
- Summarize the controversy: Articulate Trump’s proposal to send National Guard troops to Chicago, focusing on the opposition from Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor J.B. Pritzker .
- Interpret data versus rhetoric: Analyze recent Chicago crime statistics and compare these with political statements and government justification for intervention .
- Clarify legal context: Describe the constraints and allowances within the Posse Comitatus Act and Insurrection Act, noting recent judicial decisions and their implications .
- Assess governance tensions: Evaluate the balance and conflicts between federal and local authority, especially in contexts like sanctuary cities or those led by Democratic officials .
- Critique perspectives: Compare viewpoints from federal officials, local government, legal experts, and community organizations .
- Formulate civic strategies: Develop responses, including legal action, public advocacy, and community-based crime prevention proposals.
Lesson Structure
Introduction
- Play PBS NewsHour and YouTube clips.
- Facilitate immediate reflection: “What surprised you?”, “Who ultimately has authority?”, “What might this mean for cities nationwide?” .
Context & Data
- Present current Chicago crime figures, emphasizing trends and discrepancies with federal narratives.
- Review prior federal interventions (e.g., D.C. and Portland in 2020) as context.
Legal & Constitutional Framework
- Explore the scope of the Posse Comitatus Act and the exceptions provided by the Insurrection Act.
- Discuss recent judicial decisions and the constitutional debates they provoke.
Stakeholder Perspectives: Debate & Role Play
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Divide class into advocacy groups:
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- Federal officials: Argue federal obligation and urgency.
- Local leaders: Defend local autonomy and responsibility.
- Legal/civil rights experts: Emphasize constitutional protections.
- Community organizations: Focus on safety, trust, and alternatives.
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Stage rebuttal and feedback sessions between groups.
Civic Action Planning
- Task students to design actionable responses:
- Legal recourse (e.g., lawsuits, injunctions).
- Communication campaigns (public statements, media messaging).
- Policy alternatives (community investment, violence prevention).
Reflection
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Students write brief essays: “What is the most persuasive argument for or against federal deployment—and why?”
Additional Resources
- The Guardian: Military base usage in Illinois
- San Francisco Chronicle: Trump’s L.A. National Guard deployment was illegal, federal judge rules
- CNN; What we know about the White House push for federal troops in Chicago
- CBS News; As Trump again threatens to send National Guard troops to Chicago, data shows crime was already dropping