Metro East Sun

Jason Plummer, a state senator from Illinois, alleged that Democratic leadership instructed police to abandon federal agents during an incident in Brighton Park. This statement was made on Facebook and has contributed to calls for the deployment of the National Guard.

"Democrat leadership orders that law enforcement personnel be abandoned in the field," said Robert Jason Plummer, State Senator for Illinois, according to Facebook. "And then they wonder why some might think the National Guard is the solution? It's almost like they want the chaos and violence...they sure do not want the rule of law enforced. I can't believe I am hearing this."

According to WBEZ, the incident occurred on October 4, 2025, when the Chicago Police Department (CPD) received a report of a person shot near 39th and Kedzie. Federal agents at the scene reported being surrounded by multiple vehicles and opened fire after feeling threatened. Officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said that agents were "rammed by 10 cars," which led to shots being fired and later crowd-control munitions as protests ensued. The release of CPD radio recordings following the incident has sparked controversy regarding the city's stance on federal immigration actions.

Fox 32 Chicago reported that CPD claimed its officers arrived at the Brighton Park scene around 10:30 a.m. to ensure public safety and manage traffic control, disputing allegations that dispatchers issued a stand-down order. The department clarified that federal agents were leading the investigation while CPD's role was confined to managing the perimeter and ensuring community safety. This statement directly contradicted circulating radio traffic suggesting non-response.

A report by the Chicago Office of Inspector General in 2023 highlighted issues with CPD and Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) data systems, which failed to consistently record response timestamps across more than 6.5 million emergency calls between 2017 and 2021. This inconsistency has hindered the city's ability to track responses involving federal assistance. The report also noted that policy changes like Chicago’s Welcoming City updates in 2021 have further complicated coordination tracking among multiple agencies.

Plummer serves as Assistant Republican Leader for Illinois’ 55th Senate District and is involved in committees focused on Financial Institutions, Labor, Human Rights, and Veterans Affairs. According to information from the Illinois General Assembly, he previously served as president of R.P. Lumber and is currently a U.S. Navy Reserve intelligence officer. His legislative priorities include fiscal reform, public safety, and business growth.