Tensions Mount as Trump Administration Threatens Federal Crackdown in Chicago NYT | Top Stories By: Hamed Aleaziz and Julie Bosman 7 September 2025 at 09:20 In a social media post, President Trump said Chicago was “about to find out why it’s called the Department of WAR.” Illinois officials condemned the message. © Jamie Kelter Davis for The New York TimesMetal barricades were placed around the federal courthouse on Thursday night in the heart of Chicago’s downtown.