1. United States
2. Ala.
3. Letter

I am deeply concerned about the recent announcement of plans to deploy the National Guards to Chicago. Such an action, which has been confirmed by the Pentagon, violates our Constitution and threatens our democracy. Our nation was founded on the principle that states have the right to determine when or if federal assistance is required—and Mayor Brandon Johnson has made no such request. While the actions of the administration in putting armed soldiers on the streets of D.C. is abhorrent, there's at least a fig-leaf of authority for it. No such fig-leaf exists for Chicago. Moreover, our fine military men and women did not enlist for such partisan/political grandstanding. It must be opposed with every tool at your disposal. It's not a matter of political party, but of preserving democracy itself. The eyes of the nation and your constituents are upon you. Please do not let this unconstitutional action stand unchallenged.