CHICAGO — A series of shootings across Chicago since Friday evening have resulted in at least seven deaths and 38 injuries, according to police reports. The recent surge in gun violence has prompted former President Donald Trump to renew calls for military intervention in the city, which is the nation’s third-largest.
In a Sunday morning post on Truth Social, Trump questioned why Illinois Governor JB Pritzker had not sought federal help, asserting that he could make Chicago “a safe City in ONE MONTH.” Governor Pritzker, a Democrat and possible contender for the 2028 presidential election, has previously declined such federal assistance, and his office did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding Trump’s latest statement.
Trump’s call follows a pattern during his administration of deploying National Guard troops to support law enforcement in Democratic-led cities experiencing crime and civil unrest, including New Orleans, Washington, D.C., Memphis, and Los Angeles. However, Chicago police data indicate that while there has been a slight increase in shooting incidents compared to the first half of last year, violent crime rates in the city have generally declined over recent years, consistent with national trends.
Preliminary figures released by Chicago police report at least two dozen shooting incidents since 5 p.m. Friday. Among those killed were a 50-year-old man shot in the chest Friday, an 18-year-old shot in the armpit Saturday, and a 21-year-old shot in the chest Sunday. One of the most severe incidents occurred Friday evening on Juneteenth—a holiday marking the end of slavery in the United States—when an SUV pulled up to a group of people, and two individuals inside began shooting. Twelve individuals, including eight men and four women aged 17 to 47, were wounded and treated at four different hospitals. Another individual sustained unknown injuries but declined medical attention.
The shootings on Juneteenth coincided with the opening of former President Barack Obama’s presidential center on Chicago’s South Side, which he and former First Lady Michelle Obama hosted for the first visitors that same day. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson expressed sorrow over the violence, stating on social media that what should have been a night of celebration and community reflection was marred by a “horrific act of violence.” He extended his condolences to the victims and their families.
The recent spike in Chicago’s gun violence unfolded amid similar incidents elsewhere in the United States over the weekend. Police in Philadelphia reported two deaths and two injuries from an early Sunday shooting. Cincinnati authorities investigated a shooting Saturday evening that killed three people, and in Kansas City, Missouri, law enforcement said a Friday evening shooting left one dead and five wounded.
As the city grapples with this surge in violence, debate continues over the most effective approach to improving public safety, with federal intervention remaining a contentious subject between city and state officials and former President Trump.