Washington: US President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Illinois Governor JB Pritzker on Saturday, urging him to address the escalating crime rates in Chicago immediately or face federal intervention. Trump's remarks came after a particularly violent weekend in the city, where six people were killed, and 24 others were shot.
According to Anadolu Agency, Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to express his dissatisfaction with Governor Pritzker's handling of the situation. He criticized Pritzker as a "weak and pathetic Governor" and implied that the governor's refusal of federal assistance was irrational. Trump emphasized the urgency of the situation with a stark warning: "He better straighten it out, FAST, or we're coming!"
In a related post, Trump highlighted the success of federal intervention in Washington, DC, suggesting that similar measures could be effective in Chicago. He claimed that federal actions had transformed Washington into a "CRIME FREE ZONE" in just 14 days, with residents and workers reportedly thrilled by the changes.
In response to Trump's statements, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson issued an executive order detailing the city's preparations to resist any federal operations involving the National Guard. Johnson voiced concerns over potential militarized actions in the city and criticized the idea of deploying active-duty soldiers and armed vehicles on Chicago's streets without local consent.
Mayor Johnson's directive explicitly prevents Chicago police from collaborating with federal agents on immigration enforcement operations. The order also mandates that federal agents working in Chicago must not wear masks, must use body cameras, and must identify themselves with names and badge numbers. Johnson reiterated calls for Trump to abandon any plans for military force deployment in Chicago.