Trump: Chicago needs ‘big, strong soldiers’
(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.
Latest News Stories
Illinois Quick Hits: Home insurance regulations approved by Illinois Senate
Illinois Senate passes bill to regulate auto insurance rates
Op-Ed: The FAA’s O’Hare decision is a win for travelers – and for competition
Bill to prevent fraud on elderly, disabled opposed by financial institutions
Illinois Quick Hits: Gas tops $5 a gallon
Newton Shuts Out Casey-Westfield in Conference Clash
Casey-Westfield Baseball Powers Past Lawrenceville in 13-3 Road Win
Warriors Shut Out Danville in 9-0 Victory
Late-Inning Rally Propels Casey-Westfield Past Paris in Conference Clash
Goble Stars in the Circle and at the Plate as Casey-Westfield Powers Past Paris, 10-3
Chicago mayor to push for local funding, keeping Bears
Senate Republicans unveil $72 billion budget package to fund ICE, CBP