Trump Calls for Military Intervention in Chicago After Weekend Shootings

A wave of shootings in Chicago that left at least seven people dead and 38 others injured over the weekend prompted President Donald Trump to again call for military intervention in the city, escalating his criticism of local leadership.

“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!!!” Trump wrote Sunday in a post on Truth Social.

Trump’s comments came after Chicago police reported at least two dozen shooting incidents since Friday evening. The violence included a mass shooting that injured 12 people when an SUV pulled up to a Chicago street and two people inside opened fire, police said.

The victims in that shooting — eight men and four women ranging in age from 17 to 47 — were taken to multiple hospitals. Another person was also injured but declined medical treatment, authorities said.

The shootings occurred during Juneteenth celebrations, a holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. Earlier that day, former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama welcomed visitors to the Obama Presidential Center on Chicago’s South Side.

“What should have been a night of celebration and community reflection for Juneteenth was shattered by a horrific act of violence,” Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a statement on X. “Violence has no place in our city, and those responsible will be held accountable.”

Trump has repeatedly pushed for deploying federal forces to Democratic-led cities, and his administration has sent National Guard troops on crime-related missions in places including Washington, D.C., Memphis, Tennessee, and New Orleans.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat and potential 2028 presidential contender, has repeatedly opposed Trump’s calls for military intervention in Chicago. His office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Chicago police data shows shootings have fluctuated in recent months, with a slight increase compared with the first half of last year, but overall violent crime in the city has declined in recent years alongside broader national trends.

The weekend violence included several fatal shootings, including a 21-year-old shot in the chest Sunday, an 18-year-old shot Saturday evening, and a 50-year-old shot Friday, according to preliminary police information.

Trump has argued federal intervention could quickly reduce crime in Chicago, while city officials have maintained that local law enforcement should lead public safety efforts.