In a world where political polarization is at its peak, the left's vehement opposition to anything President Donald Trump proposes or does has become a hallmark of what is often referred to as Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS).
The common jest is that if Trump were to discover a cure for cancer, Democrats would lament the loss of jobs in the healthcare sector. This sentiment is now being echoed in the aftermath of Trump's recent crackdown on crime in Washington, D.C., one of America's most dangerous cities.
As expected, Democrats nationwide are aligning themselves with the criminal element. But the question arises, are other cities also on the radar for similar crime crackdowns?
According to RedState, Chicago has been leading the nation in homicides for 13 consecutive years, with the 14th year seemingly inevitable. This is a disconcerting reality for a city that should be known for its vibrant culture and history, not its crime rates.
Raymond Lopez, a Democrat and Chicago city Alderman, is not one to shy away from criticizing his own party. In a recent appearance on Newsmax TV's "Rob Schmitt Tonight," he discussed President Trump's decision to deploy the National Guard to address the escalating crime problem in Chicago.
Lopez acknowledged the city's crime issue and pondered on potential solutions. He stated, "We (Chicago) don't need" the National Guard, but also said:
...what we do need is the FBI, the ATF, and many of the other members of the federal government who can go after those cartels, go after those drug dealers, go after those human traffickers that have been operating within the city of Chicago for the past 20 years. Yet, he pointed out that Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson are going to use their hatred for Donald Trump to say no, to say we dont want federal intrusion, but we do want federal money.
Lopez further criticized his party, stating, You have politicians in my own party who are enamored with the dangerous criminals in our streets. He emphasized, We should always be welcoming of the federal governments ability to help us maintain safe communities, safe cities, and a safe country."
Despite the media's efforts to portray Mayor Brandon Johnson in a positive light, reports indicate that Chicago saw a 33 percent decrease in homicides for the first six months of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024. However, the Medical Examiner's Office reports that there are 323 deaths where the manner of death is "pending," and some of those could be determined to be homicides. Additionally, thefts are on the rise, with misdemeanor theft up four percent, felony theft up 46 percent since 2021, and car thefts are up 75 percent since 2021.
While Washington, D.C. is a unique case, being a federal district, the possibility of the National Guard being deployed to Chicago seems increasingly likely. During his announcement on Monday that the National Guard would be deployed in Washington, D.C., President Trump hinted that similar measures could be taken in other Democrat-run cities like New York and Chicago, saying:
And if we need to, we're going to do the same thing in Chicago, which is a disaster. We have a mayor there who's totally incompetent. He's an incompetent man. And we have an incompetent governor there. Pritzker's an incompetent."
Lopez, while acknowledging that crime should be a nonpartisan issue, highlighted the importance of federal money to both Mayor Brandon Johnson and Gov. JB Pritzker. He suggested that this might be the leverage Trump needs to get their attention, stating:
"And I think, at the end of the day, thats whats going to give Donald Trump leverage over the city of Chicago, the county of Cook, and the state of Illinois, because 22% of our budget comes from the federal government. And I think hes going to be able to play that card to them and say, if you want the money, then were coming with it.
The question now is whether Johnson and Pritzker will prioritize their apparent affinity for criminals or their need for government funding.
The spectacle of Democrat officials reacting to Trump's bait is indeed intriguing. Many are voicing their complaints on social media about the federal clean up of D.C., and warning that Baltimore, NYC, and Chicago could be next.
Aligning themselves with crime could potentially set them up for a loss in the upcoming election. This situation serves as a stark reminder of the importance of prioritizing the safety and well-being of citizens over partisan politics.
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