President Donald Trump reached out to Illinois Governor JB Pritzker after a violent weekend in Chicago that resulted in 39 injuries and six fatalities. The violence included a mass shooting on Friday night, which left 14 people injured. Trump posted on his Truth Social account, suggesting that he could help resolve the situation quickly. He referenced previous successes in reducing crime in other cities, including Washington, D.C., Memphis, and New Orleans.
In his posts, Trump stated, "At least 39 people injured, 4 dead, in Chicago weekend shootings. Governor Pritzker, I, as President, can fix this, FAST and Permanently. CALL ME! President DJT." The shootings drew national attention as they occurred during the Juneteenth holiday. Police reported that a red SUV drove into a crowd on Chicago’s South Side, where two individuals opened fire. Victims ranged in age from 17 to 47.
Violence prevention advocate Irion Meadows expressed disappointment over the shootings, particularly given the significance of Juneteenth. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson also addressed the issue during a Juneteenth Day of Action event, emphasizing the ongoing impact of gun violence in the community. Trump had previously commented on the violence in a Sunday post, urging Pritzker to seek his assistance, but as of early Tuesday, Pritzker had not responded publicly to Trump's messages or the events of the weekend.