Trump Threatens Federal Crackdown on Chicago Crime, Clashes with Illinois Governor Pritzker

President Trump sharply criticized Illinois Governor JB Pritzker over the recent surge of violence in Chicago, warning that federal intervention, including potential deployment of the National Guard, is imminent if the state does not curb crime. Trump condemned Pritzker as "weak and pathetic" for refusing federal help despite a weekend with six deaths and two dozen shootings, escalating their ongoing feud with personal insults and political jabs. Governor Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson have pushed back strongly, calling Trump's threats unconstitutional and an overreach, with Johnson issuing an executive order to limit city cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Despite Trump's claims of worsening crime, official statistics show significant declines in homicides and violent crime in Chicago compared to previous periods. The conflict highlights broader tensions between federal authorities and local officials over law enforcement approaches and immigration policies in major cities. Trump has praised his prior federalization of police in Washington, D.C., where he credits a sharp drop in violent crime to such measures, signaling Chicago may be next for similar federal action.