Trump says 'incompetent' Illinois governor, 'no better' Chicago mayor should call him for help with crime

In a post on Truth Social, the president called Pritzker "incompetent" and said Johnson is "no better" while talking about Chicago crime statistics - six dead and 27 injured - from the weekend.

"A really DEADLY weekend in Chicago. 6 DEAD, 27 HURT IN CRIME SPREES ALLOVER THE CITY. Panic stricken Governor Pritzker says that crime is under control, when in fact it is just the opposite. He is an incompetent Governor who should call me for HELP. Mayor Johnson is no better. Make Chicago Great Again!" Trump wrote late Tuesday night.

The president and Democratic leaders in Illinois, specifically Chicago, have been embroiled in disagreement over the way the city should fight crime. 

Pritzker and Johnson have insisted that the city does not need to be "occupied" by the military to cut down on crime.

"Chicagoans are not asking for a militarized force to occupy our city. We're not asking for that," Johnson said on Monday during a citywide news conference.

Crime statistics publicly available on the Chicago police department's website show that last week the city experienced nine murders, 27 criminal sexual assaults, 128 robberies, 114 aggravated batteries, 117 burglaries, 297 motor vehicle thefts and nearly 1,000 incidents of felony or misdemeanor theft. 

Chicago was also dubbed the "nation's homicide capital" for the 13th consecutive year in March, as the city experienced 573 murders in 2024, according to local outlet The Center Square.

Johnson also highlighted a "citywide homicide clearance rate of 77.4%," which his office said is "the highest in more than a decade," as the mayor emphasizes mental health and a "holistic approach to community safety."

The administration's suggestion to deploy National Guard troops to crime-ridden Chicago comes amid an ongoing operation in the nation's capital. 

Fox News Digital's Deirdre Heavey contributed to this report.