In a series of moves that are raising concerns about the politicization of federal institutions, the Trump administration has requested logistical support from the Naval Station Great Lakes near Chicago. This request, which signals a potential expansion of domestic law enforcement operations, comes amid a parallel and equally troubling attempt to remove a Federal Reserve governor. These actions, combined with the recent firing of the CDC director and other public health officials, point to a coordinated effort to reshape key government institutions to align with a specific political agenda.
The request to use the naval base, located 35 miles north of Chicago, was made by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for “limited support in the form of facilities, infrastructure, and other logistical needs to support DHS operations.” While details are scarce, the request has been linked to potential immigration and crime control enforcement, echoing recent deployments of federal agents and the National Guard to Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. City leaders in Chicago, including Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, have pushed back, asserting that crime has fallen and that the city does not need or want military intervention. They are also preparing to sue the administration over the potential deployment, which they see as an illegal “blitz” designed to intimidate residents.
This move follows a year of upheaval at public health agencies. In August, CDC Director Susan Monarez was fired just one month into her tenure. Her lawyers stated that she was “targeted” for “refusing to rubber-stamp unscientific, reckless directives and fire dedicated health experts,” framing her ousting as part of a “systematic dismantling of public health institutions.” This sentiment was echoed by other senior officials who resigned in protest, stating they were “unable to serve in an environment that treats CDC as a tool to generate policies and materials that do not reflect scientific reality.”
In a parallel and unprecedented legal battle, Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook has sued the Trump administration over an attempt to remove her from office. The lawsuit argues that the president’s attempt to fire her is an illegal violation of the Federal Reserve Act, which states that a governor can only be removed “for cause,” typically for misconduct in office. Cook’s lawyers argue that the allegations of mortgage fraud, which the administration cited as the reason for her attempted removal, are “pretextual” and are being used to “circumvent Congress to bend the institution to his will.” The lawsuit sets the stage for a landmark legal battle that could redefine the Fed’s independence from political influence, a cornerstone of its ability to manage the U.S. and global economy.
