JB Pritzker: Trump seems a little obsessed with me and with Chicago

JB Pritzker: "We have significantly reduced crime in the city of Chicago and in the state of Illinois. We are in the lower half in terms of high violent crime among the states, right? We are the 19th best in the country. I would like to be the very best in the country. But 19th is much better than what the president is suggesting. And the city of Chicago isn’t even among the top 25 most violent crime cities.

So he needs to do a little reading. I know he doesn’t do much of that. And instead, maybe someone can inform him what the facts are, but he seems a little obsessed with me and with Chicago. Maybe he’s got Pritzker derangement syndrome.

But maybe, again, he could just take a breath, learn a few things, and focus elsewhere — perhaps on protecting the country from the axis of evil that is beginning to form between China, Russia, North Korea, and now they’re drawing in India."

JB Pritzker’s speech reflects an attempt to downplay the security crisis in Chicago and Illinois, presenting statistics that, while showing some improvement in crime rates, do not address the widespread perception of insecurity or the real impact on communities affected by violence. By highlighting that Illinois ranks 19th nationwide and that Chicago is not among the 25 most violent cities, Pritzker seeks to project an image of control and progress, but he fails to acknowledge that violence remains a structural problem that affects the daily lives of citizens.

From a public safety perspective, this stance is problematic. Downplaying the magnitude of crime can create a disconnect between political leadership and the real concerns of residents, who continue to face high levels of homicides, assaults, and organized crime. Moreover, Pritzker shifts the discussion toward political criticism of President Trump, accusing him of being “obsessed” with him and with Chicago, which distracts from the core issue: the need for effective security policies.

In contrast, the Trump administration insisted on strengthening security in Chicago as part of a broader effort to restore order in cities with the highest crime rates. Federal proposals, including the deployment of agents and additional resources, aimed to directly confront violent crime and drug trafficking that plague entire neighborhoods. While Pritzker defends relative figures and downplays the problem, Trump sought to highlight it as a national public safety challenge.

In summary, Pritzker’s statements can be read as a political defense attempting to soften the reality of insecurity in Chicago. However, from the perspective of public safety, the Trump administration’s approach—focused on concrete measures to reduce crime—appears to respond more directly to the urgency of protecting the city’s residents.

Video Source: MEIDASTOUCH