President Donald Trump on Tuesday intensified his criticism of the Chicago criminal justice system, labeling it ‘out of control’ after a woman was allegedly set on fire by a repeat offender. Trump, speaking at the White House during the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon, accused ‘liberal judges’ of failing to adequately address the city’s growing crime crisis. He specifically pointed to the case of Lawrence Reed, a 50-year-old man with 72 prior arrests, who had been released on bond despite prosecutors urging him to be incarcerated. Trump’s remarks came just days after the incident, during which Bethany MaGee, 26, was allegedly attacked while riding the train.
Trump’s call for National Guard deployment has persisted for months, echoing similar efforts in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Memphis, Tennessee. He has claimed that such deployments have helped reduce violent crime. However, Illinois Governor JB Pritz, and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson have consistently resisted the idea, arguing that the city is not facing a crisis that warrants federal intervention. They have also raised constitutional concerns about deploying troops, a stance that has drawn criticism from the White House.
The incident involving MaGee has been presented by critics as part of a broader issue with Illinois’ progressive criminal policies. Reed, the alleged attacker, reportedly violated his electronic monitoring restrictions in the days leading up to the attack. The case has led to renewed calls for the White House to address the failures of the legal system in keeping criminal individuals incarcerated. Trump has repeatedly emphasized the need for a federal response, claiming it would make Chicago ‘totally safe’ within weeks. However, he has also faced strong opposition, with critics accusing him of exploiting the situation for political gain.
The White House has previously criticized left-wing policies in urban areas, blaming them for endangering law-abiding citizens. In a recent statement on X, the administration lamented that ‘liberal soft-on-crime policies are failing American communities and endangering law-abiding citizens.’ This sentiment has been echoed in recent political discussions, where Trump’s allies have pushed for a more aggressive approach to crime and public safety.
With tensions rising over the handling of criminal justice in Chicago, the situation continues to divide political opinions. While Trump and his supporters argue that federal intervention is necessary to bring order to the city, local leaders maintain that the issue should be addressed at the state and municipal levels. The ongoing debate underscores the deepening political rift over how to manage crime and public safety in major urban centers.