Chicago Labor Day weekend rocked by violence, 54 shot; Trump threatens National Guard deployment

Chicago’s Labor Day weekend was marked by violence, with at least 54 people shot and seven killed across the city. US President Donald Trump threatened to deploy the National Guard, while Mayor Brandon Johnson pushed back, pointing to data showing crime is trending down compared to last year. Community leaders like Tio Hardiman of Violence Interrupters and Charles McKenzie of Englewood First Responders argued that solutions lie in community rebuilding, mentorship, and youth engagement, not military deployment.