Todd Blanche slams Illinois governor for refusing federal help in Chicago
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche addresses alarming Chicago violence, revealing eight dead and dozens shot over the weekend. He criticizes Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker for allegedly refusing federal assistance. Blanche contrasts Chicago’s situation with successful crime reduction efforts in Washington, D.C. and Memphis, emphasizing the critical need for local and federal cooperation to stop the violence.
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A violent and deadly weekend in Chicago has caught the attention of President Donald Trump.
Fox News Digital has confirmed six people were killed and 39 people were shot in a series of shootings in the Windy City over the weekend.
A mass drive-by shooting in Chicago’s Princeton Park neighborhood resulted in 13 people injured Friday night. Chicago police say an SUV drove up on a crowd of people and two suspects opened fire on multiple victims.
Chicago police officers stand outside a hospital in Chicago awaiting updates on two officers shot during a prisoner transport incident at Swedish Hospital on April 25, 2026. (Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“Offenders from inside the vehicle began firing gunshots towards the crowd before fleeing the scene. Multiple victims sustained gunshot wounds and were transported to local hospitals,” CPD said.
FOUR DEAD AND 29 SHOT IN CHICAGO WEEKEND VIOLENCE AS LEADERS TOUT CRIME PROGRESS
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said he was “heartbroken” by the violence in Princeton Park. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
In a post to X responding to the drive-by shooting incident, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said:
“I am heartbroken by the violence in Princeton Park last night. What should have been a night of celebration and community reflection for Juneteenth was shattered by a horrific act of violence. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their loved ones.”
In a post to Truth Social, President Trump said, “Lots of Killing going on in Chicago. 22 people shot, at least 4 Dead. Why isn’t Governor Pritzker calling me for help. I could make Chicago a safe City in ONE MONTH, in ONE YEAR, it would be one of the safest!!! D.C. went from one of the worst, to one of the safest cities in the U.S. President DJT”
President Donald Trump questioned why Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has not asked for help to combat Chicago’s violence. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Trump made the post just before 9 a.m. Sunday, and by Monday, when police compiled the data, the numbers dramatically increased.
Last year, Trump deployed hundreds of troops from the National Guard to Washington, D.C., in an effort to crack down on crime in our nation’s capital.
Chicago police say all shootings are under investigation.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, center, is flanked by Cook County Chairwoman Toni Preckwinkle, left, and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, right. (Kamil Krzaczynski/Getty Images)
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Fox News Digital has reached out to both Pritzker and Johnson’s offices.