AG Blanche blames Pritzker for refusing help over Chicago crime spike
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has criticized Illinois Governor JB Pritzker for turning down federal assistance to address Chicago’s alarming increase in gun violence, which has seen 37 shootings in just two days. Blanche referred to the significant drop in crime in Washington, D.C., following federal action and pointed out the FBI’s success in apprehending a Medicare fraudster linked to $1.2 billion, while recovering $5 billion in stolen funds.
During the weekend, Chicago was rocked by mass shootings, including one on Juneteenth that resulted in six fatalities and 39 injuries. This wave of violence unfolded over a three-day stretch from Friday evening to Sunday, prompting President Donald Trump to urge Governor Pritzker to act and seek federal support.
According to Chicago police, 20 shootings occurred over this tumultuous weekend, with victims’ ages ranging from 18 to 50. On Friday night, two unidentified shooters targeted a gathering in Princeton Park, injuring twelve people—eight men and four women. Additionally, a 29-year-old man named Mario Price was fatally shot in his car, while a 70-year-old nearby was shot in the leg but survived. Unfortunately, the violence continued into Saturday and Sunday, leaving even more injured.
Moreover, a tragic incident on Thursday saw a 14-year-old boy shot multiple times and killed. The Midwest Hawks youth football team, to which he belonged, expressed their sorrow, stating no words could mitigate the pain of such a loss.
AG Blanche criticizes Pritzker as crime surges in Chicago
In response to the violence, President Trump condemned Governor Pritzker for his inaction. He stated, “Mass murder is happening in Chicago. Why won’t Governor Pritzker ask me for help? I could make Chicago a safe city in a month or a year. It would be one of the safest cities!!!” Trump contrasted the current Chicago situation with Washington, D.C., where he noted a visible reduction in crime following federal intervention.
The president also highlighted his deployment of National Guard troops and federal authorities to cities like Portland, Los Angeles, and Memphis. Late last year, he positioned troops in the Chicago area, but legal challenges led to their demobilization in January.
Trump’s D.C. crime success highlights Chicago’s dangerous situation
This uptick in violence has drawn scrutiny on Pritzker, a well-known Democrat and potential presidential contender for 2028, who has consistently rejected Trump’s offers for federal troops to initiate a crackdown on crime in Chicago.
Pritzker explicitly stated last year, “Mr. President, please don’t come to Chicago. You are not wanted here, you are not needed here,” characterizing the intervention as an unwarranted power grab.
Leaders from the Illinois Democratic Party and President Trump have both pushed for deploying the National Guard to Chicago. Last October, Pritzker mocked the notion that Chicago was in the midst of a violence spike during an appearance on a late-night talk show, donning a Kevlar vest and joking about the supposed chaos.
In a somewhat humorous take, he noted how “people are being forced to eat ketchup on their hot dogs” and commented on the state of deep-dish pizza, suggesting it had become “shallow.” Amidst the gravity of the situation, he added a personal touch, claiming, “so, it’s hard to survive here in the city of Chicago, but no one is as hellish as I am.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to Pritzker for comments regarding the recent events.
