President Trump says he has the legal right to use the Insurrection Act to take on Chicago’s violent crime — and he’s daring Gov. JB Pritzker to “beg for help.”
Speaking aboard Air Force One after his Middle East peace tour, Trump said America’s leaders need to show real strength — not excuses — when it comes to crime.
“I want them to be stronger and tougher and not allow record-breaking crime in Chicago and other places,” Trump said. “I want them to admit they have a problem.”
He pointed out that Chicago has seen roughly 4,000 shootings in just a year and a half — and accused Pritzker of turning a blind eye while families suffer. “He’s letting people be killed in his city because he doesn’t want to deal with Chicago,” Trump said. “I love Chicago. It could be great again — and very quickly.”
Trump said he’s already seen results in places like Washington, D.C., and Memphis, where the National Guard helped bring down violent crime. He reminded reporters that under the Insurrection Act, presidents have the right to act when states won’t. “I could use it if I wanted to. That’s a very simple answer,” Trump said.
According to Trump, about half of all U.S. presidents have used the Insurrection Act — and the law gives the president full authority to restore order when chaos takes over.
“I’d have Chicago cleaned out,” Trump said. “The criminals removed. The city could be safe again — fast.”