I can’t ignore what’s happening with Chicago crime. For years, the city has led the nation in violent crime and murders. Even though there have been some recent declines, the numbers are still shocking compared to other cities. Now, President Trump is proposing to send federal troops into Chicago to help restore order, but Democratic leaders are resisting him.
To me, this isn’t about politics—it’s about whether government will fulfill its God-given role to protect its citizens. As a Christian, I can’t stay silent when pride and partisanship are put above the safety of families.
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Chicago crime shows us that government’s God-given role is to protect citizens. As a Christian, I believe we must respond with truth and conviction.
What I See in Chicago Crime
I’ve researched Chicago crime many times over the years. The facts are undeniable. For more than a decade, Chicago has had the highest number of murders of any U.S. city. In 2024, its murder rate was three times higher than Los Angeles and nearly five times higher than New York City.
Yes, I’ll acknowledge that crime has dropped in 2025—homicides down 33%, shootings down 38% in the first half of the year. But even with that decline, the city still experiences levels of violence that would be unthinkable in most parts of the country.
Behind every statistic is a story. Families are grieving. Children are growing up surrounded by fear. Neighborhoods are held hostage by violence. These are lives made in the image of God, and they are being cut short.
Why Federal Help Matters
When President Trump proposed sending federal troops into Chicago, I didn’t see a political stunt. I saw government trying to do what it is supposed to do—protect its citizens. Romans 13 makes this clear: government is God’s servant to restrain evil and to protect the innocent. I believe limited government is essential. But limited doesn’t mean powerless. It means government stays in its rightful lane. And one of those lanes is law and order. When local leaders fail to keep their people safe, federal involvement is not tyranny—it’s accountability. You can read the full passage here: Romans 13:3–4 (NIV) on Bible Gateway.
Why the Resistance?
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker immediately opposed the federal plan. Johnson even signed an executive order forbidding Chicago police from cooperating with federal troops or agents. Pritzker threatened legal challenges, calling the proposal unconstitutional. You can read more about Johnson’s stance in this recent coverage from Reuters: Chicago mayor says police will not aid federal troops or agents.
To me, this isn’t truly about law or the Constitution. It’s about politics. These leaders fear that if Trump’s plan succeeds, it will prove his approach is effective. They are more afraid of political fallout than they are of losing more lives on their streets. That is heartbreaking.
As a Christian, I see this as a failure of leadership. When leaders care more about their image than about protecting citizens, they have abandoned their God-given role.
My Christian Conviction About Government
I believe deeply in limited government. I don’t want Washington controlling every part of our lives. But I also believe in God’s design for government, and the Bible is clear: one of its chief responsibilities is to protect its people and punish evil. Romans 13:4 says, “For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason.” That means when crime explodes in a city like Chicago, it’s not “overreach” for government to step in—it’s obedience to God’s design for justice.
How I Believe We Should Respond
When I look at Chicago crime and the political resistance to addressing it, I believe Christians should respond in three ways:
- We must pray. Scripture tells us to pray for those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1–2). I pray for the people of Chicago, for their families, and yes—for their leaders, even when I disagree with them. I pray they will put people above politics.
- We must speak truth. I cannot stay silent when leaders put politics over lives. That isn’t leadership—it’s pride. As followers of Christ, we must speak boldly when justice is ignored.
- We must reject political idolatry. This isn’t about party. This is about life. Christians must not allow political loyalty to blind us to truth.
I also believe faithfulness requires awareness of the larger cultural battle. That’s why I often reference how faith and societal values intersect—like in my post on how Christian Censorship Defeated in Oakland Schools challenged overreach, and how true love always involves obedience, as I wrote in Love Without Obedience Isn’t Really Love.
What’s at Stake
At the end of the day, this isn’t just about Chicago crime—it’s about the value of human life. Every victim, every grieving family, every child robbed of their future matters to God.
When leaders resist help out of pride, they choose politics over people. That’s sin, it’s injustice, and Scripture warns against it: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil” (Isaiah 5:20).
I believe God is calling His people to stand bold in these moments—not with hate, but with truth, clarity, and courage.
A Final Word
This isn’t about Trump. It’s about truth. Government exists to protect its citizens. Chicago’s leaders are resisting that duty—and people are dying because of it.
As a Christian, I refuse to stay silent. I will pray. I will speak. I will stand. Because life matters more than politics.
Arch Kennedy
Bold, Unfiltered, and Unafraid
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Could not agree more. We must be bold and can not keep tip toeing around these difficult issues. Crime in all US cities (but especially in Chicago) is out of control. If the police do arrest people, it seems that the judges let them out the next day. We need to be tough on crime, for the victims, for our children, and for our country. Thank you for speaking up!