Janine Pirro, a lawyer for the District of Columbia, criticized Democratic leaders for their opposition to the Trump administration’s approach to crime in Washington, D.C. She particularly called out Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker following a violent Labor Day weekend in Chicago, which saw at least 58 people shot, including eight fatalities.
Pirro expressed her frustration in her show, “American Report,” saying, “This guy, Pritzker, he should be ashamed of himself. Protecting people is your refusal to oath.” President Trump has suggested deploying the National Guard to Chicago to tackle the violence, similar to measures taken in the capital, but officials in Illinois are firmly against federal intervention. Both Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson have rejected Trump’s proposal, with Pritzker going as far as to label the potential deployment an “invasion.” In a CBS interview, he mentioned that the administration likely has ulterior motives beyond just addressing crime.
D-Md. Rep. Jamie Raskin echoed Pritzker’s sentiments, describing the crackdown as “a performance political action.” Meanwhile, Pirro dismissed such arguments, posing a question about who decides when crime rates are low enough to not warrant concern. She further emphasized the seriousness of the situation by asking rhetorically whether anyone would feel safe letting their children out in Chicago during such tumultuous times.
Interestingly, Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, who was initially against the National Guard’s deployment, has noticed improvements in safety since their arrival. In late August, she reported an 87% drop in carjackings compared to the previous year.
Pirro suggested that the resistance from Democratic leaders stems from their ideological stance rather than the safety of citizens. “The truth is that these people are about ideology and power,” she stated, urging them to meet with families of crime victims who are left in uncertainty about their loved ones. She concluded by affirming that Trump is committed to tackling these issues effectively.
