Former U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that Chicago and New York City could be the next places to see federal troops on their streets.

Speaking at a press conference in the Oval Office, Trump said residents of Chicago are asking him to step in, claiming that “beautiful African American ladies” are pleading with him to come. He also suggested his administration is ready to deploy not only the National Guard but also the regular military.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson quickly responded, criticizing the plan as “uncalled for and unsound.” He warned that deploying troops without proper coordination could damage the fragile trust between residents and law enforcement.

In Washington, Trump already declared a public safety emergency on August 11 and deployed the National Guard, even though city officials maintain that violent crime is at a 30-year low. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser has insisted there is no crime spike, despite Trump’s claims.

California Governor Gavin Newsom also cautioned that Trump’s actions in Washington and attempts to use the California National Guard without state approval show a wider plan. According to him, this is “a preview of things to come” across the United States.