Chicago Alderman Ray Lopez, a Democrat representing the city’s 15th Ward, voiced support for President Donald Trump’s decision to send additional federal personnel to Chicago, saying many residents share his approval of the move.

Lopez’s comments came during an interview with Fox News, where he distanced himself from other Democratic leaders who have accused the administration of escalating tensions in the city.

When asked whether his constituents agree with Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker—both of whom have condemned the deployment and accused the administration of “declaring war” on Chicago—Lopez was clear.

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“Absolutely not. There are many people in the city of Chicago who completely support having the additional resources to keep both ICE agents and community protesters safe,” Lopez said.

He added that state and city officials have failed to maintain public order.

“What we have seen is a complete abdication of responsibility, both by Governor Pritzker and by the mayor of the city of Chicago, who have refused up until this point to allow police just to maintain the peace for protesters and for ICE agents doing their job. We need to bring some sanity back to the conversation, and a majority of Chicagoans want to see that happen.”

President Trump ordered the deployment of 300 members of the Texas National Guard last week to assist federal law enforcement agents who have faced escalating violence in the Chicago area.

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The administration said the move was intended to “protect federal functions, personnel, and property” as part of what the Pentagon called the Federal Protection Mission.

A federal judge later issued a temporary hold on the deployment order, but the Trump administration proceeded with sending hundreds of additional agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and other federal agencies.

The expanded federal presence aims to reinforce security at multiple sites and to support ongoing deportation operations.

The decision follows a series of violent confrontations between protesters and law enforcement outside the federal immigration processing facility in Broadview, Illinois.

The site has become a focal point for near-daily clashes between left-wing demonstrators and federal agents. According to authorities, several arrests have been made after repeated attempts by groups of protesters to block entrances, damage government property, and interfere with deportation transports.

The Broadview facility has been the target of multiple coordinated attacks in recent weeks.

Protesters have pelted federal vehicles with rocks, slashed tires, and attempted to obstruct operations.

Some of the demonstrations have been led or joined by left-wing political figures, including Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss and congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh, both Democrats, who were filmed blocking federal vehicles during one recent protest.

Tensions escalated sharply on Saturday when at least 10 vehicles were used to ram and trap federal agents near the Broadview site.

The Department of Homeland Security reported that at least one attacker was armed, prompting agents to return fire in self-defense.

No federal personnel were reported killed, but several sustained injuries.

Following the attacks, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that special operations units would be deployed to Illinois to assist in securing federal facilities.

“We are sending in additional personnel to stabilize the situation and protect our officers,” Noem said last week.

The order came after two separate ramming incidents occurred in the same day, underscoring growing concerns about organized violence targeting federal agents.

The unrest has fueled broader debate within Illinois politics, where divisions between local and federal authorities continue to widen.

While Governor Pritzker and Mayor Johnson have criticized the deployment as unnecessary and provocative, Lopez maintains that federal reinforcements are essential to restoring public safety.

“I talk to people every day who just want to live in peace and see law and order upheld,” Lopez said.

“Most Chicagoans understand that without security, there can be no stability.”

The administration’s deployment remains under judicial review, but federal officials say their mission in Illinois will continue as planned to protect personnel, enforce immigration laws, and prevent further attacks on government property.

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