With the topic of the Trump Administration considering sending National Guard into Chicago, Illinois to help local officials with violent crime, Iowa’s Third Congressional District Representative shares his point-of-view.

Congressman Zach Nunn says after President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard into Washington, D.C. it was to come to the aid of local law enforcement, because violent crime was increasing rapidly and the local government of the mayor and the DC Council would not give law enforcement the support they needed. Since then, Nunn reports that the presence of the National Guard has tempered those rates. 

As for possibly sending the National Guard elsewhere, Nunn shares his thoughts on that. 

“I don’t want to be taking Guardsmen and putting them on the front line of a law enforcement role in major US cities, except for areas where there is a clear and immediate danger. But it should not become standard practice in cities across America. One, that’s taxpayer dollars that are meant to help defend this nation overseas, not have to police on the street.”   

Nunn describes a situation in Chicago that took place over the Labor Day weekend that fits his definition of a “clear and immediate danger” which included 35 shootings and the deaths of half a dozen people. He adds one major step for local governments is to “Back the Blue” and give law enforcement what it needs to be able to do their jobs of protecting and serving their communities.