‘Bring in Trump’: POTUS says Chicago wants federal help after riot leaves 1 dead, several injured

Donald Trump said Chicago residents chanted 'Bring in Trump' after a Chicago Loop riot left teens shot and one dead
Unrest erupted in Chicago’s downtown after a Christmas event as about 300 juveniles rioted and attacked police officers with mace and stun guns (Getty Images)
Unrest erupted in Chicago’s downtown after a Christmas event as about 300 juveniles rioted and attacked police officers with mace and stun guns (Getty Images)


WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump said on Saturday, November 22, that Chicago residents are chanting “Bring in Trump” amid violent unrest and a surge in crime downtown.

The comment came after a weekend riot in the Chicago Loop left several teens shot and at least one person dead. Trump blamed city and state leadership for rejecting federal help.

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 05: U.S. President Donald Trump waves after signing the
Donald Trump waves after signing the 'No Men in Women's Sports' executive order in the East Room of the White House on February 5, 2025 in Washington, DC (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Teen riots rock Chicago Downtown amid rising crime and failed policing

The unrest broke out in Chicago’s downtown central business district after a Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Reports stated that around 300 juveniles were involved in the rioting and attacked police officers with mace and stun guns.

Multiple officers were injured, and at least one was hospitalized. During the riot, at least six youths, ages 13 to 17, were shot. Less than an hour later, a 14-year-old boy was shot again and later died in a hospital. An 18-year-old man was also wounded.



A few days before the violent weekend, another disturbing incident occurred on a Chicago train. A woman was allegedly set on fire by a man with a long criminal record.

Authorities stated that the suspect, 50-year-old Lawrence Reed, "had no business being on the streets." He now faces charges for carrying out an act of terrorism or violence targeting a public transportation system. 

U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a Cabinet Meeting at the White House on February 26, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump is holding the first Cabinet meeting of his second term, joined by Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Trump was joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio (L) and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Donald Trump delivers remarks during a Cabinet Meeting at the White House on February 26, 2025 in Washington, DC (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) 

Trump calls for federal crackdown 

Trump reacted strongly, posting on his Truth Social account that there was “massive crime and rioting in the Chicago Loop area.” He claimed that six of the riot victims were shot, with one in critical condition and another dead.

He directly blamed Democratic Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. Trump said they were refusing “Federal Government help for a situation that could be quickly remedied.” He also added that residents were chanting, “BRING IN TRUMP!!!” 

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 25: Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker holds a news conference with other Illinois politicians and community leaders to address President Donald Trump's plan to send National Guard troops into Chicago on August 25, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. Besides Chicago, the president on Friday said he planned to target Baltimore and New York as well for his next federal crackdown on crime following days of federal agents working the streets of Washington with DC Metro Police. Trump today appeared to back off from those threats in remarks to reporters. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
JB Pritzker holds a news conference with other Illinois politicians and community leaders to address President Donald Trump's plan to send National Guard troops into Chicago on August 25, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Johnson and Trump have had a long-running feud over law enforcement and public safety in Chicago. The mayor previously called Trump’s threats to send in the National Guard a “flagrant violation of our Constitution” and said the city does not need a “military occupation.”

Trump has even floated using the Insurrection Act to intervene in Chicago, saying he could use it to respond to rising crime. He claimed that many presidents have used the act when crime peaks, and suggested he could do the same to restore order.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 25: Flanked by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (L) and other Illinois politicians and community leaders, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks at a news conference to address President Donald Trump's plan to send National Guard troops into the city on August 25, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. Besides Chicago, the president on Friday said he planned to target Baltimore and New York as well for his next federal crackdown on crime following days of federal agents working the streets of Washington with DC Metro Police. Trump today appeared to back off from those threats in remarks to reporters. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks at a news conference to address President Donald Trump's plan to send National Guard troops into the city on August 25, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

There is growing tension over the idea of federal troops in Chicago. Trump has said in the past that Chicago is “a mess” and that he plans to “clean up our cities” with more aggressive interventions.

Meanwhile, Johnson and other city leaders argue that deploying military force would erode trust between law enforcement and residents.

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