Trump: Chicago needs ‘big, strong soldiers’

Spread the love

(The Center Square) – President Donald Trump says Chicago needs big, strong soldiers to get the city into shape.

The president took questions from reporters on Air Force One while returning from London on Thursday.

Trump said 11 people were murdered, 28 were shot and a hundred were shot at in Chicago the previous weekend. He then referred to Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

“That’s what I call dangerous, and Pritzker’s going out and saying, ‘We’ve got crime under control,’” Trump said.

The president said crime did go down after he put more FBI agents in the city, but there is only so much they can do.

“What you really need is our big, strong soldiers to get them into shape. We’re not letting Chicago fail,” Trump said.

The president said Washington D.C. is now safe after he sent in the National Guard last month.

“We’re going to do the same job in Memphis, and we’re going to Chicago,” Trump said.

The president referred to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson when he said London Mayor Sadiq Khan is among the worst mayors in the world.

“I think he’s the equivalent of the mayor of Chicago. I think he’s done a terrible job. Crime in London is through the roof,” Trump said.

Johnson has repeatedly criticized Trump since the president was inaugurated in January.

The mayor did not mention Trump by name when he spoke Friday at a groundbreaking in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood.

“We will not allow any of the tyranny that is working to divide and ultimately to conquer our communities prevail,” Johnson said.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

House committee to investigate nexus between CCP, 'civil unrest'

House committee to investigate nexus between CCP, ‘civil unrest’

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square As the country continues to be gripped by political division, a House committee is investigating possible Chinese ties to “civil unrest.” An investigation being conducted...
Report: Congress authorized $15 trillion in 'emergency' deficit spending since 1991

Report: Congress authorized $15 trillion in ’emergency’ deficit spending since 1991

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Over the past 35 years, Congress has used emergency funding rules to bypass budget controls and spend a cumulative $15 trillion, a new analysis reveals....
House Dems press Patel on handling of the Epstein files

House Dems press Patel on handling of the Epstein files

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square House Democrats drilled down on FBI Director Kash Patel’s handling of the Epstein files during an FBI oversight hearing Wednesday, after their counterparts in the...
Illinois quick hits: Suspect in custody after state senator's home struck with gunfire

Illinois quick hits: Suspect in custody after state senator’s home struck with gunfire

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Suspect in custody after state senator's home struck with gunfire A suspect is in custody after two homes were damaged by...

WATCH: Governor candidate: Low-cost districts shine while most IL schools spend, fail

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – According to a Republican candidate for Illinois governor, schools in the state can succeed without spending big....
Fed cuts rates after holding off for months amid tariff turmoil

Fed cuts rates after holding off for months amid tariff turmoil

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Federal Reserve announced a quarter-percentage-point rate cut on Wednesday, after taking a wait-and-see approach to President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs. Wednesday's rate cut was...

WATCH: Pritzker threatens executive action regulating hemp if legislature won’t act

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) − After previous attempts were unsuccessful, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he may take executive action to address...
Exclusive: Laws exacerbate firearm instructors shortage

Exclusive: Laws exacerbate firearm instructors shortage

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square A shortage of firearms instructors is continuing to cause chaos for many Colorado citizens, especially in light of recent gun laws for concealed carry licenses....
House committee to examine possible link between 'radicalization,' social media apps

House committee to examine possible link between ‘radicalization,’ social media apps

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square After revelations that the suspect in the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk disclosed details of the assassination on a social media site, the...

WATCH: Illinois congresswoman OK withholding federal tax funds to change state policy

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois congresswoman says she’s OK with plans of withholding federal tax dollars from Illinois if it...
Chicago mayor: 'We do not have a spending problem' as spending, deficit grows

Chicago mayor: ‘We do not have a spending problem’ as spending, deficit grows

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Mayor Brandon Johnson says Chicago does not have a spending problem, even as city government spending soars...
WATCH: Trump calls Pritzker ’nothing’ in public safety push; U.S. Rep. Mary Miller live

WATCH: Trump calls Pritzker ’nothing’ in public safety push; U.S. Rep. Mary Miller live

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop airs the latest...
Illinois quick hits: Three dead outside Berwyn school; steady economic conditions reported

Illinois quick hits: Three dead outside Berwyn school; steady economic conditions reported

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Three dead outside Berwyn school A Berwyn middle school is closed for instruction today after three people died in what authorities...
City Council 9.16.25.2

Casey Hires Hometown Engineer Ryan Staley as New Director of Public Works

Article Summary: The Casey City Council has officially appointed Casey native and civil engineer Ryan Staley as the city's new Director of Public Works, positioning him to take over for...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Casey Township Library Board of Trustees for August 7, 2025

Casey Township Library Board of Trustees Meeting | August 7, 2025 The Casey Township Library Board took another step toward replacing its failed air conditioner on Thursday, August 7, 2025,...