Todd Blanche slams Illinois governor for refusing federal help in Chicago
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche spoke out after another troubling surge of violence in Chicago, saying eight people were killed and dozens more were wounded over the weekend. He also took aim at Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, accusing him of rejecting federal support. Blanche pointed to crime-reduction efforts in Washington, D.C., and Memphis as examples of what he described as the results possible when local and federal officials work together.
A deadly weekend of gun violence in Chicago has drawn the attention of President Donald Trump.
News Agency confirmed that six people were killed and 39 others were shot in multiple incidents across the city over the weekend.
Among the incidents was a mass drive-by shooting Friday night in Chicago’s Princeton Park neighborhood, where 13 people were injured. According to Chicago police, an SUV pulled up near a crowd before two suspects opened fire.
Chicago police officers waited outside a Chicago hospital for updates after two officers were 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,” Chicago police said.
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)
READ MORE: Paul Kueker Remembered as Beloved Father of Two After Fatal Fall at Madison Square Garden Concert
Responding to the drive-by shooting in a post on X, 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)
News Agency has reached out to both Pritzker and Johnson’s offices.
