WATCH: Trump says ‘dangerous’ Chicago next after addressing crime in D.C.
President Donald Trump says Chicago is next on his list of cities to focus on cleaning up crime.
In December, after Trump was elected to a second non-consecutive term, Danielle Carter-Walters used public comments at a Chicago City Council meeting to call for the Trump administration to come to Chicago and make an example out of city officials.
“Please come here first, because you know what, we’re going to help you,” Carter-Watlers said.
Friday, Trump said he’s cleaning up Washington D.C. and plans to address crime in Chicago next.
“Chicago’s a mess,” Trump said from the Oval Office. “You have an incompetent mayor, grossly incompetent. And we’ll straighten that one out. Probably next. That will be our next one after this. And it won’t even be tough. And the people in Chicago, Mr. Vice President, are screaming for us to come now wearing red hats.”
The president said he hasn’t talked with city officials like Mayor Brandon Johnson.
“I haven’t spoken, he’s grossly incompetent. I haven’t spoken to them,” Trump said. “You know, when we’re ready, we’ll go in and we’ll straighten out Chicago just like we did D.C.. Chicago’s very dangerous. Great place I built. Great stuff there. I have a, I have the most beautiful building in Chicago, I think. But I hate to see what’s happened to Chicago.”
Johnson’s administration didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Asked about other possible federal enforcement earlier in the day Friday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the Trump administration is plotting against political opponents.
“I’m not daring them to do anything, I’m just saying they don’t have a right,” Pritzker said Friday at an unrelated event. “Federal law and state law, separate endeavors and they don’t have a right to do the things that they are threatening to do.”
While city wide murder is down 50% over the past four years, burglary, felony theft, misdemeanor theft and motor vehicle theft are all up a total of 40%.
Latest News Stories
Billions in investment, thousands of jobs coming to RGV from LNG facility, pipeline
Bessent says Federal Reserve ‘must change course’
Legislation to end cashless bail in D.C., nationwide introduced in Senate
Chicago ranks near bottom in survey of best and worst run cities
WATCH: Pritzker to sue ‘immediately’ if Trump sends guard; GOP AG candidate profile
Illinois quick hits: Northwestern president resigns; unemployment claims rise
WATCH: Pritzker: Will go to court ‘immediately’ if Trump deploys National Guard
Illinois quick hits: Madigan attempts another appeal; prison mail scanning rules proposed
IL US Rep: Failing schools cost billions in ‘epidemic’ of poor proficiency
Plaintiffs weigh steps after appeals court upholds transit concealed carry ban
IL comptroller candidate touts experience, focuses on transparency
WATCH: Pritzker expects feds soon; appeals court affirms transit concealed carry ban