Trump warns of federal takeover in Chicago, slams JB Pritzker over rising crime: ‘People are desperate'

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump teased a major announcement on August 27 regarding a potential federal takeover of Chicago, Illinois, amid the ongoing federal takeover in Washington, DC.

Trump has been engaged in a heated back-and-forth with Illinois Gov JB Pritzker, escalating their feud as the president suggested that Chicago could become the next test site for his law-and-order push.

Donald Trump targets JB Pritzker over Chicago crime

Trump pointed to weekend violence in the city while attacking the Illinois governor.

“Governor Pritzker had 6 murders in Chicago this weekend,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. “Twenty people were shot. But he doesn’t want to ask me for help. Can this be possible? The people are desperate for me to stop the crime, something the Democrats aren’t capable of doing. Stay tuned!”

Trump first raised the idea of a federal takeover of Chicago shortly after deploying National Guard troops to Washington, DC, where thousands of soldiers and federal officers were patrolling, with some even assigned to pick up garbage. 

JB Pritzker, Brandon Johnson vow to resist federal troops

Both Illinois Gov JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said they would oppose any effort to put federal forces on Chicago’s streets.

Pritzker made his stance clear, telling Trump, “Do not come to Chicago. You are neither wanted here nor needed here.” The governor had already accused Trump of “abusing his power," after reports surfaced of a possible plan to send troops.

“The State of Illinois at this time has received no requests or outreach from the federal government asking if we need assistance, and we have made no requests for federal intervention,” Pritzker wrote on X.

Trump calls JB Pritzker a ‘slob’, Illinois governor hits back

The president sharpened his attack during an executive order signing on August 25, shifting from crime to personal insults.

“In a certain way, you really want to be asked to go. You know? I’d hate to barge in on a city and then be treated horribly by corrupt politicians and bad politicians like a guy like Pritzker. He ought to spend more time in the gym, actually. The guy is a disaster,” Trump said. He also called the governor a “slob.”

Pritzker quickly fired back, turning the weight criticism on the president. “It takes one to know one, on the weight question. And the president, of course, himself, is not in good shape. So, he ought to respond to that from me,” Pritzker said.

He added, “I would say also that his personal attacks on me are just evidence of a guy who’s still living in fifth grade. He’s the kind of bully that throws invectives at people, because he knows that what he’s saying is actually commentary on himself.”

Trump, for his part, also said of critics, “They say … ‘He’s a dictator. He’s a dictator.’ A lot of people are saying, ‘Maybe we’d like a dictator.’ I don’t like a dictator. I’m not a dictator.” 

Internet weighs in on Trump and JB Pritzker feud

Reactions online showed a sharp divide, with some urging Trump to take control of Chicago and others condemning the idea.

“Just send the troops in directly, and don't listen to the local mayor or governor talking nonsense,” wrote one user on X.

Another added, “Clean up Chicago, Mr President. All cities matter to the people who live in them.”

“He doesn’t care about Chicagoans,” said another user. One commenter alleged, “Pritzker behaves like the Mafia Lord. He wants crime in his state, otherwise he won’t be able to continue his corrupted reign.”

Others criticized Trump’s remarks, with one writing, “How many innocent children and people were murdered yesterday, Trump? It wasn’t in Chicago. Russian propaganda written all over the mags of his guns.”

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.