Six people were killed and 39 others were shot in Chicago between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday, according to the Chicago Police Department. The violence over the Juneteenth weekend prompted a response from community leaders, faith leaders, and city officials, who gathered Monday at City Hall to push for a new city agency dedicated to gun violence prevention.
Father Michael Pfleger, a prominent South Side priest at St. Sabina Catholic Church, spoke out Monday against President Trump, who had posted on Truth Social about the violence and suggested that federal forces be sent into the city.
Trump wrote: "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."
Pfleger, speaking Monday morning, rejected Trump's framing. "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."
Pfleger went further, demanding that the federal government return funding it had pulled from anti-violence programs. "The reflecting pool was good for 50 years," he said. "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."
The proposed Department of Gun Violence Prevention would focus entirely on reducing shootings and coordinating violence prevention programs across the city, according to Fox 32. State and city leaders have consistently opposed federal military intervention, saying they prefer investments in community-level prevention programs.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said Monday that he wished Trump would "follow Chicago's lead and invest in Black America," saying the administration had cut funding to agencies and programs that make communities safer.
The White House defended the president's position. Spokesperson Abigail Jackson said in a statement to Fox News Digital: "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. Chicago residents and visitors would benefit tremendously from the President's successful efforts to drive down crime and make American cities safe again."
