Speaking with reporters in the Oval Office on Friday, President Donald Trump said he will deploy additional federal resources to several Democratic-led cities struggling with crime and public safety, expanding on his administration’s federal intervention in Washington, D.C.
Trump is setting his sights on Chicago, he told reporters in the Oval Office Friday. “After we do this will go to another location, and we’ll make it safe, also. We’re going to make our country very safe,” the president said. “We’re going to make our cities very, very safe. Chicago’s a mess.”
He went on to refer to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson as “grossly incompetent” and said his administration will be taking an increased role in tackling crime in the Windy City. “That’ll 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,” Trump said while turning to Vice President Vance.
“They’re wearing red hats, just like this one. But they’re wearing red hats. African-American ladies, beautiful ladies, are saying, ‘please, President Trump, come to Chicago.’ Please. I did great with the black vote, as you know,” Trump went on.
After pointing to Chicago, Trump indicated that New York City could be the next target for federal intervention. He has also taken aim at mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani, who has pledged to resist federal immigration enforcement.
PLAY:
Earlier this month, Trump announced he was assuming control of Washington, D.C.’s law enforcement under Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act. The move followed a series of high-profile assaults and murders involving government employees. As part of the takeover, the president deployed hundreds of National Guard troops and federal agents to support local policing efforts.
The federal intervention has coincided with a sharp drop in crime, including an ongoing eight-day stretch without a reported homicide. In 2024, Washington, D.C. recorded the fourth-highest murder rate in the nation. Since the takeover, carjackings have fallen by 83 percent and robberies are down 43 percent, along with declines in several other categories of crime.
