President Donald Trump criticized Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker during a White House turkey pardon event, targeting Democratic leadership in the state for what he described as a “soft-on-crime” approach. Trump’s remarks came after a man with a lengthy criminal history set a woman on fire in Chicago, sparking outrage over the city’s policies.
During his speech, Trump accused Pritzker of being “a big fat slob,” highlighting his frustration with state and local officials who opposed his efforts to deploy the National Guard to Chicago. He emphasized that the governor should “invite us in” to make the city safe, adding, “I’d like to lose a few pounds, too.”
The president’s comments coincided with a broader effort to address crime in Democratic-led cities, including the deployment of National Guard troops to Portland and Chicago. However, the Pentagon later withdrew these forces due to legal challenges. Trump falsely claimed that Washington DC had gone from “one or two homicides a week” to “no murders in six months,” despite data showing 123 murders this year.
A 26-year-old woman, Bethany MaGee, was brutally burned on a Chicago L train by Lawrence Reed, a 50-year-old man with 72 prior arrests. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy condemned the city’s policies, stating that “Chicago’s carelessness is putting the American people at risk” and emphasizing that repeat offenders should not be allowed to roam freely.
The article highlights the controversy surrounding Chicago’s approach to crime, with critics arguing that the city’s leniency on violent offenders has led to severe consequences for residents. The focus remains on Trump’s criticism of Pritzker’s leadership and the broader debate over criminal justice policies in Democratic-controlled cities.