When viral videos of Chicago gang members warning President Trump not to send the National Guard began circulating online, it didn’t take long for those with real battlefield experience to respond. Soldiers and veterans across the country flooded social media to remind these young men of a truth they seemed to forget: the streets are not the same as war.
On TikTok and Instagram, self-proclaimed gang members boasted that Chicago was “different” and that their “switches” would make the National Guard regret stepping into the city. The bravado may have impressed some, but for combat veterans it was pure ignorance.
“I was a sniper in Iraq and Afghanistan—I have zero fear of Chicago thugs,” one veteran wrote. Another added, “More bravado than brains. You’ve never seen your squad turned into a pink mist by a 105mm shell. The government doesn’t even have to fight you directly. They can cut food, water, power—and watch you fold.”
Others mocked the idea of handguns against military technology. “That’s like showing up to a missile show with Nerf guns,” one comment read.
Warnings From Black Soldiers
Perhaps the strongest responses came from Black soldiers themselves, who pleaded with young men not to fall into a trap.
“Please don’t think you can intimidate the U.S. military,” one serviceman said in a viral clip. “We can pinpoint your weapons stash in seconds. We have drones, homing missiles, and precision that you’ve never seen. Don’t confuse street war with actual war.”
Another soldier reminded gang members that even the National Guard—often deployed in times of unrest—is still highly trained. “We defend this country from enemies foreign and domestic. Threatening us doesn’t make you look strong, it makes you look foolish.”
A Dangerous Distraction
For many veterans, the larger concern is not bravado—it’s the consequences. They argue that the gang threats play directly into Trump’s hands, giving him justification to crack down harder.
“This is exactly what Trump wants,” one former Marine commented. “Give him a reason and you’ll see martial law faster than you think.”
Others stressed the hypocrisy of gang members picking a fight with soldiers while remaining silent about crime in their own neighborhoods. “You couldn’t handle Venezuelan gangs with machetes,” one veteran noted. “But now you want to take on the U.S. Army?”
The consensus among veterans and active-duty soldiers was clear: this is not a fight gangs can win, and pursuing it would only bring destruction on their own people.
“Gang life ends in two ways—prison or death,” a veteran concluded. “But taking on the military guarantees both. Don’t mistake recklessness for power. Chicago doesn’t need more body bags; it needs leadership and real solutions.”
