Washington (AP) – President Donald Trump On Tuesday, he said he would direct federal law enforcement interventions to combat crimes in Chicago and Baltimore despite solid opposition from states and local officials in both cities.
When asked by a reporter at the oval office about sending National Guard troops to Chicago, Trump added, “We’re coming in,” but “When did I say that?”
“I have an obligation,” the president said. “This is not political.”
Trump has already been sent National Guard Forces to Washington, DCand was federated Police in the country’s capital. Recently, he says he is planning similar moves in other cities, particularly cities run by Democratic officials.
The president praised Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser for working with the federal forces, but criticised the Democratic Illinois government. JB Pritzkersaid crimes in Chicago do not require federal intervention.
Trump called Pretzker and said he wanted to say, “Send the troops.”
“If the Illinois governor calls, call me, I want to do that,” Trump said. “Now we’re going to do that anyway. We have the right to do that.”
Pretzker saw Trump’s comments as calling him “help him” and “indifference.”
“No, I’m not asking the president to send him the troops to Chicago,” he said in his downtown Chicago office. “I’ve already made that clear.”
The state received its first contact on federal intervention Saturday when the Illinois State Police Commissioner said he was coming to Chicago, saying he received a call from Border Patrol El Centro chief Gregory Bovino. The governor said no further details were provided.
Pretzker urged residents to be wary of their neighbors and film and share dialogue with federal agents.
“Authoritarians will flourish in your silence,” he said. “Speak loudly for America.”
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said the city’s violence stems from too many street guns being trafficked to Illinois from neighboring states, including Republican-led Indiana.
“Chicago continues to have violence issues as long as the Red State has gun issues,” Johnson said.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raul said the city and state will sue if federal intervention begins.
“Chicago’s crime problems are serious, but far from the worst in the country,” Raul said. “The president’s plan is not to fight crime. It’s purely performance.”
Trump also said Tuesday that he “has an obligation to protect the country, including Baltimore.” Local officials there joined Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, who also opposes federal law enforcement intervention.
Trump said his efforts in Washington ensured that “we are now a safe zone. We are not crime-free.”
The White House separately announced Tuesday that more than 1,650 people have been arrested since the Trump administration first mobilized federal staff on August 7th.
“And this city was really bad,” Trump said. He said he is “really proud” of the federal government’s efforts to curb crime in Washington.
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Tareen reported from Chicago.
