President Donald Trump has put Chicago’s Democrat leaders on notice, warning that it could be the next city to face a federal law enforcement takeover as residents continue to demand action against out-of-control violent crime.
“Chicago is a mess,” Trump told reporters Friday.
“You have an incompetent mayor, grossly incompetent, and we’ll straighten that one out probably next, that will be our next one after this, and it won’t even be tough.
“And the people in Chicago, Mr. Vice President, are screaming for us to come.”
WATCH:
US President Trump said he would expand his crime crackdown to Chicago, using federal powers to intervene in another city governed by Democrats, and threatened to take full control of Washington, D.C., rather than only its policing https://t.co/Mcya4WuXnZ pic.twitter.com/HqzjVXeIrI
— Reuters (@Reuters) August 22, 2025
The comments come after Trump deployed federal agents and National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., earlier this month, resulting in more than a thousand arrests, including illegal aliens charged with assault, rape, murder, DUIs, and drug smuggling.
Officials say Chicago could be next, followed potentially by New York City.
For years, Chicagoans have been raising the alarm about violent crime while city officials have done little to address it.
In 2024 alone, the city saw 28,443 violent crimes, including aggravated assaults at a two-decade high, according to the Illinois Policy Institute.
While overall violent crimes dipped slightly compared to 2023, the long-term trend shows a steady increase.
Equally troubling, arrests are made in only about 14% of violent crimes, a rate that has been falling for two decades.
Local residents have repeatedly voiced their frustrations in town halls across the city.
In the West Loop, plagued by armed robberies and carjackings, residents demanded answers.
“I’m a citizen, I’m a father of two, and if I know what’s going on out there, I know damn sure you know,” one resident, Victor Jones, told Fox 32 in November 2023.
Another resident, Suzette Webb, described the situation as “unbearable,” adding:
“There’s a lot of talking going on, I think we need some serious policy changes.”
In August 2024, similar concerns were echoed in the South Loop, where locals pointed to loitering, vagrancy, and gangs occupying sidewalks.
“There has been a gentleman sleeping on the cooler in front of Dunkin’ Donuts for three months. Where is everybody?” one man asked the police during a meeting.
Business owners have also sounded the alarm.
“Today, you hardly see a police car in the neighborhood,” Declan Morgan, a pub owner of over two decades, told CBS Chicago. “It’s a big difference.”
Despite public frustration, Democratic Mayor Brandon Johnson dismissed the idea of federal intervention during an MSNBC interview on Sunday.
Johnson is calling it a “flagrant violation” of the Constitution.
“We’re going to remain firm and vigilant in our commitment to ensure that our democracy is protected, and our humanity is secured,” Johnson said.
WATCH:
🚨JUST IN: Mayor of Chicago Brandon Johnson claims that if Trump sends troops into his city the "People will rise up and fight against tyranny."
Is he calling for violence against our military? pic.twitter.com/5bgchbcNLY
— The Patriot Oasis™ (@ThePatriotOasis) August 24, 2025
Johnson’s resistance comes as his approval numbers collapse.
An August poll showed his approval rating at 26%, while a February survey put it as low as 6.6%.
Since taking office in 2023, Johnson has faced mounting criticism over crime, budget controversies, and Chicago’s illegal alien crisis.
The flood of illegal in the “sanctuary city” has cost taxpayers over $400 million in just two years.
At a chaotic city council meeting late last year, angry residents accused Johnson of prioritizing funding for illegal immigrants while ignoring public safety.
“It’s your fault, because you gave half of the money to illegals,” one Chicagoan told council members after Johnson called on police to remove protesting citizens.
With crime in Chicago spiraling and residents continuing to demand action, Trump has strongly hinted that his administration will intervene if local leaders refuse to act.
After seizing temporary federal control of the D.C. Metropolitan Police earlier this month under emergency powers, the president has shown he is willing to use aggressive measures to restore law and order.
Whether Chicago officials cooperate or resist, Trump has made it clear that federal intervention is on the table, and that many residents of the Windy City are already calling for it.
READ MORE – D.C Enjoys 12th Consecutive Murder-Free Day amid Trump’s Crime Crackdown
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