President Donald Trump suggested Monday that many Americans would prefer living under a dictatorship, as he expanded his federal crackdown on crime and signed new executive orders authorizing military deployment to additional cities.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on August 25, Trump responded to criticism of his Washington, D.C. military deployment by claiming that “a lot of people are saying, ‘Maybe we’d like a dictator.'” He immediately added that he does not like dictators and is not one himself, describing himself as a man with common sense.
The president’s comments came as he signed executive orders directing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to establish specialized National Guard units trained to handle public order issues in Washington and potentially nationwide. The orders also authorize Attorney General Pam Bondi to unwind metropolitan police orders in D.C. if she believes they impede the administration’s crime crackdown.
Trump repeated similar sentiments during a Cabinet meeting Tuesday, stating that while critics call him a dictator, many people would rather have one if it means stopping crime. The Cabinet meeting lasted over three hours, making it unprecedented in recent memory according to multiple reports.
The president has now set his sights on Chicago, describing it as a killing field and indicating he is prepared to deploy National Guard troops there despite opposition from local officials. When asked whether he would send troops into cities without gubernatorial requests, Trump confirmed he would do so unilaterally.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker firmly rejected any federal military intervention, stating his state has received no requests for assistance and made no such requests. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson described Trump’s proposal as the most flagrant constitutional violation of the 21st century, emphasizing that Chicago does not need military occupation.
The escalating tensions led to personal attacks between Trump and Pritzker. Trump suggested the Illinois governor should spend more time in the gym and focus less on eating, prompting Pritzker to respond that it takes one to know one regarding weight issues. Pritzker characterized Trump’s personal attacks as evidence of fifth-grade bullying behavior.
Trump’s federal takeover of Washington began three weeks ago, with National Guard troops now armed and patrolling alongside police and FBI agents. The guards carry standard-issue M17 pistols, with some equipped with M4 assault rifles, and are authorized to use weapons for self-defense and as a last resort against imminent threats.
The president also signed an executive order targeting cashless bail systems, which allow judges to release suspects without posting bond. The order threatens to revoke federal funding from jurisdictions maintaining such policies, specifically citing Illinois as an example of problematic practices.
Critics have drawn comparisons between Trump’s actions and authoritarian regimes. Major General Randy Manner, former acting vice chief of the National Guard Bureau, told CNN the deployment of military units to watch citizens reminds him of Germany in the 1930s. Civil rights organizations have denounced the expanded federal powers as dangerous and performative abuse of authority.
Polling data suggests Trump’s assessment about American attitudes toward authoritarianism may have some basis. A University of Massachusetts Amherst survey found that 74 percent of Republicans endorsed Trump’s previous joke about being a dictator for one day. Additional polling shows 59 percent of Republicans believe the country’s problems could be better solved if Trump did not have to worry about Congress and the courts.
More striking findings indicate significant Republican support for unchecked presidential power. Polls show 44 percent of Republicans believe courts should not review Trump’s policies, while 36 percent would not be bothered if he suspended laws and constitutional provisions to target political enemies.
The Justice Department has launched investigations into Trump critics including New York Attorney General Letitia James and Senator Adam Schiff, while the FBI targeted former Trump adviser John Bolton. Trump has also suggested former President Barack Obama should face investigation.
Despite Trump’s claims about crime rates, Washington D.C. registered its lowest crime rate in 30 years before the federal takeover. Chicago recorded 573 murders in 2024, its lowest number since 2019, with crime down significantly compared to the previous year.
Trump indicated his willingness to wait for local officials to request federal assistance but emphasized his readiness to act unilaterally. He expressed frustration that instead of being praised for sending troops, critics accuse him of trying to take over the Republic, calling such people sick.
