AFT President Weingarten Condemns Trump's Call for Illinois Arrests

CHICAGO

Recent developments in Chicago have drawn significant attention as President Donald Trump called for the incarceration of senior political figures in Illinois. This demand came in response to the Texas National Guard's deployment on the city's streets, prompting a strong reaction from AFT President Randi Weingarten.

“The warning signs have been blinking red for months; but this is now a five-alarm fire: Calling for elected officials to be jailed because they disagree with the national leader is what happens in dictatorships, not democracies," Weingarten stated. The Illinois leadership, including Gov. Pritzker and Mayor Johnson, opposed the National Guard's deployment, citing a breach of state sovereignty rather than the alleged falsehoods surrounding the troop presence.

Weingarten expressed concerns about increased militarization, highlighting incidents where masked ICE agents have allegedly abducted individuals, used pepper spray on clergy, and spread fear within communities. She emphasized that such actions could escalate tensions further.

During her visit to Chicago, Weingarten is collaborating with Mayor Johnson in support of the city’s children, teachers, and residents. She condemned President Trump’s recent threats, considering them a direct challenge to democratic principles. Gov. Pritzker previously warned of such authoritarian tactics, aligning with themes discussed in Weingarten’s book on education, freedom, and democracy.

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) represents a diverse membership of 1.8 million individuals, including pre-K through 12th-grade educators, higher education professionals, healthcare workers, and government employees.

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