Trump escalates threats toward Chicago, Illinois Governor labels him ‘wannabe dictator’

US President Donald Trump intensified his warnings to send federal agents and National Guard troops to Chicago by sharing a meme on Truth social inspired by the classic war film Apocalypse Now, on Saturday. The edited image, captioned “Chipocalypse Now,” depicted flames and helicopters over the Chicago skyline with Trump dressed like the movie’s notorious Lt Col Kilgore.

Alongside the image, Trump wrote: “Chicago about to find out why it’s called the Department of War.” The remark followed his recent executive order proposing to rename the Department of Defense as the Department of War,  a symbolic move that still requires congressional approval.

Illinois Governor J B Pritzker quickly fired back, calling Trump a “wannabe dictator” and warning that his actions amounted to declaring war on an American city. “This is not a joke. This is not normal,” Pritzker posted on X, adding that Illinois would not be intimidated.

Trump has repeatedly threatened Democratic-led cities with increased federal crackdowns. In June, he dispatched National Guard troops to Los Angeles and, more recently, stationed them in Washington, DC. He has also floated the possibility of sending forces to Baltimore, New Orleans, and even Portland, Oregon, saying federal authorities could “wipe ’em out.”

Trump has insisted he has broad authority: “I’m not a dictator, by the way — not that I don’t have the right to do anything I want to do. I’m the president. If our country is in danger and it is in danger in these cities I can act.”