CHICAGO – President Donald Trump said Tuesday he will deploy the National Guard to Chicago to curb violent crime but gave no timetable.
What we know:
Trump, speaking at a press conference, criticized Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker for rejecting federal intervention and pointed to a series of recent shootings in the city over Labor Day weekend.
“I didn’t say when but the answer is.. Look, Chicago is very interesting because I watched Pritzker get up and say ‘We don’t need help. We’re safe,'” Trump said. “But two weeks ago they had six people murdered and they had 24 people hit by bullets. Last week, as you know, was 7 people, 24 people hit, and seven people died. Over the last two days, that was the crown jewel. They had, I guess, 9 or 10 killed, and 50 hit with bullets.”
The remarks follow a violent Labor Day weekend in Chicago that left at least eight people dead and 48 wounded by gunfire, according to police.
Earlier Tuesday, Trump posted on Truth Social that Pritzker “better straighten it out fast or we’re coming.”
He repeated that message at the press conference, adding that he has both the authority and responsibility to act.
“We’re going to do it anyway. We have the right to do it because I have an obligation to protect this country,” Trump said.
The president also broadened his criticism to include other Democratic-led states, calling Chicago, Baltimore and parts of Los Angeles “hellholes.”
Pritzker has previously resisted federal deployments, arguing that the state and city are capable of handling crime without intervention from Washington.
Chicago officials have also opposed sending in federal forces, citing concerns about overreach and community trust.
Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson will address the media Tuesday afternoon in regard to Trump’s threats.
This is a developing story and we’ll bring more updates as they become available.