 "US President Donald Trump. File image/ Reuters")
President Donald Trump on Tuesday renewed his attacks on Chicago’s violent crime record, calling the city “the murder capital of the world”.
The statement intensified debates over proposed federal involvement in Chicago, where Trump has also threatened deploying the National Guard as part of his so-called “Liberation Day” crackdown on violent crime.
Taking to Truth Social, Trump wrote, “CHICAGO IS THE MURDER CAPITAL OF THE WORLD!”
He added in another post that at least 54 people were shot in Chicago over the weekend, and eight people were killed, which is “similar” to the last two weekends.
“At least 54 people were shot in Chicago over the weekend, 8 people were killed. The last two weekends were similar. Chicago is the worst and most dangerous city in the World, by far. Pritzker needs help badly, he just doesn’t know it yet. I will solve the crime problem fast, just like I did in DC. Chicago will be safe again, and soon. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” he said.
At least 32 shootings were reported between Friday evening and Monday noon, according to police reports.
The violence added to growing political tensions between President Trump and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.
According to an Associated Press report, citing two US officials, a federal law enforcement surge in Chicago could begin as early as September 5 and last around 30 days,
The move would follow previous deployments in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., where thousands of National Guard troops and federal agents were sent to support local law enforcement.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsPresident Trump has been pushing for the intervention, warning in a recent post: “We’re coming, if Pritzker doesn’t straighten it out, FAST.”
Pritzker strongly pushed back against the plan, calling it a political stunt and rejecting the need for troops in the city.
“National Guard troops or any kind of troops on the streets of an American city don’t belong unless there is an insurrection, unless there is truly an emergency – and there is not," Pritzker said.
Earlier in the day, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that Trump would deliver an “exciting” statement related to the Pentagon on Tuesday.
On Monday, CNN reported that Chicago was expecting a significant surge in federal agents roaming its streets as the Trump administration is reportedly set to launch an immigration crackdown in the upcoming days.
The planned crackdown would be carried out by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, Border Patrol officers, and potentially members of the National Guard, the report said, citing sources with knowledge on the matter.
The deployment could happen by Friday and might include armored vehicles, the report added.
On Sunday, the president promised to impose federal control measures in Chicago if local authorities failed to bring order. On the next day, Governor Pritzker called Trump’s plan to combat crime in Chicago an “invasion.”
With inputs from agencies