Trump Tells Pritzker 'Call Me' to Fix Chicago After 39 Shot
🤖 AI Generated ImagePresident Trump said Tuesday he can fix Chicago's crime epidemic "fast and permanently" and urged Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker to call him after a violent weekend. At least 39 people were shot across the city, with police reporting six deaths, according to the New York Post.
"At least 39 people injured, 4 dead, in Chicago weekend shootings," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "Governor Pritzker, I, as President, can fix this. FAST and Permanently," according to the New York Post.
Trump points to other cities' success
Trump claimed Washington D.C., Memphis and New Orleans are all "down to record lows, and quickly" under his approach to crime. He ended his post with a direct appeal: "CALL ME! President DJT," according to the New York Post.
The president made the comments just two days after claiming he could make Chicago one of the safest cities in America. Trump has repeatedly called Chicago a "hellhole" and a "war zone" in previous statements.
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Princeton Park Juneteenth shooting wounds 13
The weekend's worst violence erupted in Princeton Park during a Juneteenth celebration just after 11 p.m., police said. Two shooters in a red SUV opened fire on the crowd before speeding away, according to the New York Post.
Police initially reported 12 injured, then added a 26-year-old man who was wounded but refused treatment. Victims included a 32-year-old woman shot twice in the back and a 44-year-old man grazed by four bullets.
A 17-year-old boy and 22-year-old woman were each shot in the thigh, while a 32-year-old man was shot in the head. All were taken to area hospitals in stable condition, according to the New York Post.
Local Alderman Anthony Beale said he was "heartbroken by the senseless shooting." He added: "In a matter of seconds, an ordinary summer night was shattered by gunfire," according to the New York Post.
📰 Related: 12 Shot After SUV Opens Fire on Chicago Crowd
Pritzker mocks Trump's crime plan
Gov. Pritzker, a potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidate, swiftly rejected Trump's offer. He mocked Trump's competence in a sharp response, according to the New York Post.
"This is the president that thought that he could hire an unqualified company to paint the reflecting pool, and then thought that it would just be free of algae," Pritzker said. He was referencing the $14 million Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation.
"And this is the same president that did not know that the Strait of Hormuz could be closed, shuttered essentially, by Iran if he went to war with Iran," Pritzker added. "I don't think that we should be listening to this president about promises that he makes," according to the New York Post.
Pritzker has previously said Illinois doesn't need National Guard help. "We've been fighting crime. We've been trying to prevent crime and it's been working," he said in August 2025.
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Supreme Court blocked prior Guard deployment
Trump previously tried to send National Guard troops to Chicago to protect ICE agents. In December 2025, the Supreme Court blocked the deployment, according to the New York Post.
The high court ruled the government had not shown the statute permits the president to federalize the Guard to protect federal personnel in Illinois. The decision upheld lower court rulings against the deployment.
More than 500 people have been shot in Chicago already this year, according to police data cited by WTTW. The figure represents a 9% increase compared to May 2025.
Key Takeaways
- Trump urged Pritzker to "CALL ME" after 39 shot in Chicago weekend violence
- Six people died, though Trump initially claimed four deaths
- Princeton Park shooting wounded 13 during Juneteenth celebration
- Pritzker rejected offer, mocking Trump's competence on security
- Supreme Court blocked Trump's previous National Guard plan for Chicago
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James Mitchell has covered US and UK politics for over a decade, with a focus on elections, foreign policy, and Capitol Hill. He breaks down complex political stories into clear, fast analysis.
