Lightfoot On Trump's Threat To Send In Military: 'Not In My City'

CHICAGO — If President Donald Trump moves to make good on his threat to send military forces to Chicago to quell violence and looting, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said the city is prepared to fight him in court.

"I will see him in court. It's not going to happen. Not in my city. I'm not confident the president has the power to do that, but we have our lawyers hard at work and if he tries to do that and usurp the power of our governor and myself, as the mayor, we will see him in court," Lightfoot said at a Tuesday news conference.

On Monday night, Trump said he was acting "quickly and decisively" to quell the looting, fires and general destruction. He ordered governors to use the National Guard to protect citizens and property. If they didn't follow his order, Trump promised to use the full strength of the military in U.S. states and cities.

Lightfoot urged people to consider the president's comments in context.

"Keep in mind this is a man who likes to bluster. Even before I was mayor this man indicated he was going to send in the feds, whatever that means. Let's not overreact, but we'll be prepared ... if he does something that foolish," she said. "We're not having military roam our streets. ... they're not trained in deescalation. They haven't built trust and authentic relationships in our community. And we're not going to give over the city to the military so the president can play to his re-election. That's not going to happen, period."