Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is under heavy fire after making what many are calling a reckless and inflammatory statement, claiming that Chicagoans will “rise up” against the Trump administration if the president deploys National Guard troops and federal agents to clean up the city’s out-of-control crime.
During a press briefing from the Oval Office on Friday, President Trump outlined the success of his recent federal intervention in Washington, D.C., where he invoked the Home Rule Act to take direct control of law enforcement. Since then, crime in the capital has plummeted. With D.C. under control, the president confirmed he is now looking to expand those efforts to other lawless, Democrat-run cities.
“Chicago’s a mess,” Trump said bluntly. “We’re going to make our cities very, very safe. That’ll be our next one after this. And it won’t even be tough.”
The president then took direct aim at Johnson, calling him “grossly incompetent” and suggesting that everyday Chicagoans are desperate for federal help. “They’re wearing red hats, just like this one. African-American ladies, beautiful ladies, are saying, ‘please, President Trump, come to Chicago.’”
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While Trump’s comments reflected growing public support for restoring order, Johnson’s response raised eyebrows across the political spectrum. First, his office issued a weak legal threat, calling any deployment of federal personnel “unlawful.” Then, in an MSNBC interview Sunday, Johnson escalated the rhetoric, effectively encouraging civil unrest.
“The people of this city are accustomed to rising up against tyranny,” Johnson said. “And if that’s necessary, I believe that the people of Chicago will stand firm alongside of me.”
Critics were quick to point out that Johnson is hardly in a position to rally anyone. His approval rating sits at just 26 percent, one of the lowest for any big-city mayor in the country. Chicago residents are enduring record levels of violent crime, and support for Trump’s law-and-order policies has only grown.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker also chimed in, parroting Johnson’s talking points and accusing Trump of trying to “manufacture” a crisis. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed to CBS News that deployment preparations for Chicago have been underway “for weeks.”
The Trump administration is clearly not bluffing. After successful crackdowns in D.C. and California, Chicago appears to be next. And despite the grandstanding from Johnson and Pritzker, it is clear that the president is moving forward. The American people want law and order — not more empty speeches and finger-pointing.
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