Dem 2028 Hopeful Blows Off Deadly Chicago Weekend, Attacks Trump Instead

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker downplayed another violent weekend in Chicago, brushing off concerns about crime in his state’s largest city and choosing instead to go after President Donald Trump.

Following a bloody Labor Day weekend that saw at least 58 people shot and eight killed, Pritzker was asked whether he’d recommend his own friends ride public transit through the city late at night.

“Look, big cities have crime, there’s no doubt about it,” Pritzker responded, before quickly pivoting. “But let’s just pay attention to what President Trump is doing, targeting Chicago. He’s overlooking red states that have much higher crime rates.”

REPORTER: “This past weekend, 54 shot, 7 dead…”@GovPritzker: “Big cities have crime”

President Trump finds this completely unacceptable — and his success in Washington, D.C. has proven that Americans don’t have to live this way. pic.twitter.com/vaKj5fxvSa

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) September 2, 2025

The governor’s remarks came as Trump reiterated his plans to send National Guard troops into Chicago — with or without Pritzker’s permission — to help restore law and order. Trump previously told reporters, “We’re going in. I didn’t say when we’re going in. … This isn’t a political thing. I have an obligation.”

Despite calls from residents, city leaders, and even sympathetic media outlets like MSNBC to get the violence under control, Pritzker has continued to reject federal help. “There is not an emergency,” Pritzker claimed. “National Guard troops don’t belong on our streets.”

Trump’s team issued a scathing rebuke earlier this week: “Despite pleas from residents, members of the city council, and even MSNBC, Pritzker is too blinded by Trump Derangement Syndrome to take action in the best interest of his constituents and end the bloodshed.”

Although Pritzker has repeatedly argued that “red states” have higher crime, data shows that of the 20 cities with the highest murder rates, all but one are run by Democrats. St. Louis, for instance, has long topped the list for per capita homicides — it’s in a red state (Missouri), but it’s run by Democrat Mayor Cara Spencer.

As Trump continues his campaign to clean up violent cities across America — with Chicago now firmly in the crosshairs — Pritzker’s deflections are drawing criticism from both sides. And with his name already being floated as a potential 2028 presidential contender, his refusal to accept federal help could become a defining issue.

Read more: Chicago Mayor Calls On Organized Labor To ‘Defend’ City From Trump