Something unsettling is brewing in Chicago, and it has drawn the attention of the highest office in the country.
While officially framed as concern over public safety, some observers question whether the president’s warnings are purely about crime—or if there is a deeper political message at play. The timing, the language used, and the threats of federal intervention all raise eyebrows, suggesting this may be more than a straightforward call for law enforcement.
Donald Trump intensified his criticism of major U.S. cities during his annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon at the White House on Tuesday, singling out Chicago for what he called an “out of control” crime situation. The president advocated for the deployment of National Guard troops to the Windy City to address violent incidents.
While much of the event centered on the ceremonial turkey pardon, Trump used the platform to attack Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, labeling him a “fat slob,” and continued his threats regarding the National Guard. His comments come after a series of alarming violent incidents in Chicago, including the horrific attack on 26-year-old Bethany MaGee.
MaGee was allegedly set on fire on a Chicago Transit Authority Blue Line train last week. The suspect, 50-year-old Lawrence Reed, had been arrested more than 70 times previously, according to CBS. At the time of the train attack, Reed was on an ankle monitor and subject to a curfew following a violent incident in August. He is currently in custody awaiting trial, while MaGee suffered severe burns to her face and body.
In addition to this attack, Chicago experienced several shootings, including two on Friday night alone.
“This is a very serious situation,” Trump said during his address. “They burned this beautiful woman on a train. A man was arrested 72 times. Think of that. And liberal judges will let him out again.”
Trump asserted that deploying the National Guard to other cities, such as Los Angeles and Memphis, had significantly reduced crime rates.
Despite opposition from Governor Pritzker, who deemed such a federal intervention unconstitutional, Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act in Chicago if necessary.
“But we’re ready to go. We’ve been preparing to move into Chicago. The governor seems fine with seven people killed this week… It’s terrible what’s happening there,” Trump continued. He claimed a federal response could make the city “totally safe” within weeks.
He added, “The people of Chicago want help. Just look at the crime over the past two weeks—it’s front-page news everywhere. It’s out of control. The mayor is incompetent, and the governor is a big fat slob. He should invite us in and say, ‘Please make Chicago safe.’ We risk losing a great city if action isn’t taken quickly.”
Conclusion
Trump’s remarks highlight the ongoing tension between federal and local authorities over how to address crime in U.S. cities. While he frames his warnings as urgent calls for public safety, the statements carry political undertones and provocative language that intensify scrutiny on city leadership.
Whether his proposed deployment of the National Guard would be lawful, effective, or welcomed remains a point of contention. For now, Chicago remains under a national spotlight, with residents and officials alike watching closely how these high-profile warnings might translate into action.