Chicago priest tells Trump to 'shut up' and restore gun violence prevention funding after deadly weekend

Father Michael Pfleger scolded Trump as Chicago community leaders on Monday called for a city agency to tackle gun violence prevention following the weekend's bloodshed.

From 6 p.m. Friday through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Chicago had 24 shootings resulting in 39 victims, six of them fatal, according to the Chicago Police Department.

On Sunday, Trump remarked on Chicago's crime woes in a Truth Social post, suggesting that federal forces be sent into the city.

On Monday, Pfleger, a prominent South Side priest at St. Sabina Catholic Church, criticized Trump for highlighting the violence.

"I hear this morning on the news that Donald Trump said he wants to send people," he said. "He'll solve the gun violence in a month. First of all, the man lies every day."

"The reflecting pool was good for 50 years," Pfleger added. "And Iran was going to be solved in a month. Shut up, Donald. Just send money and restore the money you took away from gun violence prevention for the city of Chicago and across this country. Give the money back now."

State and city leaders have opposed federal intervention, saying they prefer investments in community-level crime prevention programs.

"President Trump's bold actions in cities like D.C. and Memphis have dramatically reduced violent crime - local Democrat leaders in Chicago should see the President's incredible results and be begging him to do the same in Chicago," White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson told Fox News Digital. "Chicago residents and visitors would benefit tremendously from the President's successful efforts to drive down crime and make American cities safe again."

"It's unfortunate that this president has worked overtime to literally defund the efforts that create safer communities," Johnson said.