* Some background is here if you need it. Today…
Full quote…
And after we do this, we’ll go to another location, and we’ll make it safe also. We’re going to make our country very safe. We’re going to make our cities very, very safe. Chicago is a mess. You have an incompetent mayor, grossly incompetent. And we’ll straighten that one out, probably next that will be our next one after this, and it won’t even be tough. And the people in Chicago, Mr. Vice President, are screaming for us to come in. They’re wearing red hats, just like this one, but they’re wearing red hats. African American ladies, beautiful ladies, are saying, ‘Please, President Trump, come to Chicago. Please.’ I did great with the Black vote, as you know, and they want something to happen, so I think Chicago will be our next.
He says a lot of things, but there you go.
* Let’s move on to a CBS Chicago report last week…
But while speaking to the media, the president turned his attention to Chicago, crime and cash bail.
“Every place in the country you have no cash bail is a disaster,” Mr. Trump said. “That’s what started it in New York and they won’t change it, they don’t want to change it. That’s what started it in Chicago.”
He blamed “bad” politicians, but continued, “That’s where it started, no cash bail. I mean, somebody murders somebody and they’re out on no cash bail before the day is out.” […]
Under the current system in Illinois without cash bail, a judge determines whether to release someone after that person has committed a crime — as opposed to setting a price for the defendant’s pretrial release.
Murder is a detainable offense here.
* Also, the federal court system commonly relies on no cash bail. For some reason, that’s rarely mentioned in news articles about the SAFE-T Act or included in stories that talk about pre-trial release of federal defendants. Sun-Times this week…
A judge on Wednesday ordered the release of the man who allegedly caused last month’s lockdown and hourslong standoff at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse, finding that the man had reached “a breaking point” but does not pose the kind of safety risk that requires detention.
U.S. District Judge Mary Rowland acknowledged that the case of 38-year-old Mario Santoyo might be getting “some heightened attention” in the building “because it happened in our home and in our courthouse that we love.”
But looking at the situation “clear-eyed,” she said, “I don’t think that the defendant poses the kind of risk to the community that I’m normally faced with when I’m facing the decision to detain somebody.” […]
Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Chmura argued for Santoyo’s detention. Not only did Santoyo allegedly prompt the Dirksen lockdown, but the prosecutor said Santoyo tried to hurt himself later at a hospital and reacted violently when authorities tried to intervene.
More…
In court Tuesday, a judge ruled that Santoyo will be released into the custody of his sister, with an ankle monitor.
He’s also being ordered to stay away from any federal buildings, except for court appearances. And he will receive psychiatric assistance.
…Adding… Congressional candidate Willie Preston…
Illinois State Sen. Willie Preston, candidate for the Second Congressional District and Chair of the Illinois Senate Black Legislative Caucus, issued the following statement responding to Donald Trump’s Oval Office comment Friday afternoon that “Chicago will be our next” in the deployment of National Guard troops to American cities.
“If President Trump makes good on his threat to deploy National Guard troops to our city to perform the functions Constitutionally reserved to state and local law enforcement, it would be an unlawful act of terror against our people.
“We can see this rancid use of power against cities like Chicago for what it is, something as old as this nation, the racism we are forced to fight every generation.
“I urge the president to reconsider. And if he doesn’t, I will join all of Chicago in resistance.”
…Adding… Sen. Robert Peters…
Following is a statement from State Sen. Robert Peters, candidate for Congress in Illinois‘ 2nd District, in response to Donald Trump’s threats to send the military into Chicago:
“This is another example of the president spewing racist, nonsensical garbage to distract from his failure to improve the lives of the people of this nation. Chicago does not want or need Trump to send anyone into our city to create chaos and inflame tensions. What we do need is a president who will actually address the issues facing Illinoisans, like lowering costs, expanding access to health care, and growing our economy.
“Instead, Trump is focused on stunts, using people as pawns to keep the press occupied while his approval ratings sink and the Epstein files stay shelved.”
…Adding… Press release…
A coalition of leading advocacy organizations in Illinois, including the Chicago Federation of Labor, Equality Illinois, the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, Personal PAC and Sierra Club Illinois, issued the following statement on Friday in response to President Trump’s rhetoric about sending troops into Chicago:
“Trump’s scare tactics are nothing new and our communities see right through them. As he well knows, our crime numbers have hit a 30-year low in this city, all while he fails to deliver on a single promise that would actually improve the lives of working people. He’s doubling down on a racist gambit to create chaos in cities to distract from his tanking poll numbers and disastrous policy agenda.
“We won’t be cowed. We won’t back down from fighting against his attacks on our fundamental rights, and we are committed to working together to ensure Illinois stays on course to protect our communities and our future.”
- Ally - Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 1:05 pm:
Maureen Dowd had an excellent piece on this over the weekend.
- 47th Ward - Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 1:19 pm:
Put them up in hotels and give them a healthy per-diem. It’ll help make up for the lack of international visitors to our economy.
Who thinks they will be deployed to high crime neighborhoods? Who thinks they will be deployed to high visibility areas? Does anyone believe this is intended as anything other than a spectacle designed to distract us from the criminal behavior coming out of the White House?
The way Democrats respond to this stuff is like Pavlov’s dog. Trump rings the bell and we start drooling. He is very adept at getting Democrats to defend unpopular positions out of principle. My advice is to welcome the troops and then ignore them. Just like we do with tourists.
- Roadrager - Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 1:21 pm:
Facts don’t matter. Trump’s had Chicago in his crosshairs ever since the city scared him away from a rally at UIC, and now he’s going to use any flimsy pretense he can find to make us pay. Who’s going to stop him? His advisors? Congress? The courts?
- Frank - Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 1:21 pm:
He won’t get challenged on any of what he says, the media isn’t even trying anymore. Sad!
- Garfield Ridge Guy - Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 1:23 pm:
The first thing Napoleon did was get rid of the bandits. If institutions choose not to govern, tyrants will, and we’ll be worse for it.
I hope that Chicago has a coherent response other than blubbering about how more than one homicide a day is fine, because crime rates were higher four years ago.
- Da big bad wolf - Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 1:24 pm:
=== In court Tuesday, a judge ruled that Santoyo will be released into the custody of his sister, with an ankle monitor.===
I fear for Santoyo’s sister.
- 44 - Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 1:26 pm:
Every 4 hours someone shot in Chicago. Car jacking. Robberies etc all day every day. Drive along lake shore drive or try and walk to the lakefront. Tent city. JB for prez, clean up locally first. Don’t wait for Trump to do it for you.
- Thomas Paine - Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 1:37 pm:
=== I will join all of Chicago in resistance. ===
What, exactly, will we do?
Are state police prepared to arrest National Guard members that are deployed in Chicago illegally?
Will Chicago Police boot any vehicles parked illegally?
Will the licensing division shut down hotels that host occupation forces?
Will bars and restaurants post signs that say that any member of the National Guard deployed illegally to Chicago is prohibted from entering and will be refused service?
What is the plan, Stan?
- Homebody - Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 1:40 pm:
I’m going to restrain myself about national politics while I respond to this.
The problem with every politician who pounds their chest about “law and order” is that their only solutions are always throwing massively wasteful amounts of money are ineffective police departments who do nothing but violate civil liberties and sow discord, while putting the city on the hook for massive civil payouts when they eventually break the law over and over again.
All studies show the best way to reduce crime long term is by having better functioning societies that take care of the people in them.
But the “law and order” people don’t actually care about reducing crime successfully. They care about swinging there metaphorical big richard around for political goals.
Tale as old as time.
- Da big bad wolf - Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 1:41 pm:
=== I hope that Chicago has a coherent response other than blubbering about how more than one homicide a day is fine, because crime rates were higher four years ago.===
Not blubbering. It’s a way to gauge.
If crime rates are moving down it means we are doing something right, and we should keep on doing it, or do it more.
If crime rates are moving up it means we are doing something wrong, and should stop doing whatever it is.
- Pundent - Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 1:42 pm:
=Don’t wait for Trump to do it for you.=
The President isn’t cleaning anything up. He’s using racism and political affiliation as a guise to send the Guard into Democratic cities. As has been pointed out if this was about cleaning things up there are cities far more deserving than LA, DC, and Chicago. They just happen to be in red states.
- Charles Edward Cheese - Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 1:44 pm:
Lots of inane comments proving a good chunk of folks here eat up what their aunt Sue on Facebook tells them and have likely never stepped foot in Chicago. Recent trends indicate violent crime in the city limits is falling. Chicago is safer than most high population metro areas, and the (unfortunate) reality is that most crime is concentrated in specific areas/wards/blocks.
Stay safe in your suburbs clutching your pearls.
- Dotnonymous x - Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 1:46 pm:
- Who’s going to stop him? -
This is the most important question that has ever been asked…in America?…are we still America?
Can the frog in the pot feel the heat…yet?
- illinifan - Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 1:51 pm:
How many cities will need to look like military outposts before Trump supporters think he has gone too far? My guess is every big city could be taken over and his supporters will cheer him on and the SC will say no problem. Our choice, as one poster said, is take the kill them with kindness approach while we file our court complaints.
- I-55 Fanatic - Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 1:55 pm:
Re: 44 “try and walk to the lakefront. Tent city”
I use the lakefront trail for travel and recreation multiple times a week. There are a handful of spots where there are tents, and sometimes there are homeless people there. I have never felt scared of them. I have never been bothered by them. My only reaction is that I wish my government was better at helping them.
- Homebody - Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 2:04 pm:
@illinifan- ==How many cities will need to look like military outposts before Trump supporters think he has gone too far?==
This is an easy answer actually. Trump supporters will never think he has gone too far unless it affects them directly. Just like all the anti-immigrant folks who were bewildered when they found out that their immigrant family members were also in the crosshairs. or anti-abortion folks who always think their abortion is the only justified abortion.
The entire conservative platform is based on selfishness.
- Ally - Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 2:08 pm:
Maureen Dowd’s piece was about how voters are starting to ignore the statistics. In 2024, there were those that said inflation was only “transitory”. But voters were seeing the impact of inflation on a daily basis, and it wasn’t easing.
She said that DC officials also pointed to crime statistics, but many in DC felt differently, including Marueen’s sister whose car was stolen.
Do people feel safer in Chicago, today, then they did two years ago?
- Norseman - Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 2:11 pm:
JB and Raoul, you’re up to bat. Hopefully, you’ve been thinking about strategy. It’s not like this is a surprise. JB got some good PR on the TX quorum folks, but failure to respond to this would not be a good thing.
- Da big bad wolf - Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 2:46 pm:
=== All studies show the best way to reduce crime long term is by having better functioning societies that take care of the people in them.
But the “law and order” people don’t actually care about reducing crime successfully. They care about swinging there metaphorical big richard around for political goals.===
This.
We now know from the Covid pandemic that when people were isolated from each other and their institutions crime soared. So to bring crime down we need less isolation, more institutions.
If Trump really wanted to help Chicago he would ask Congress to increase funds to bolster those institutions.
If people from the National Guard have expertise in these areas, sure bring them in. I’m sure the National Guard have some teachers and social workers and recreational therapists among them.
- Michelle Flaherty - Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 2:51 pm:
Let’s hope they can liberate that poor man in The Bean
- P. - Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 2:52 pm:
*My only reaction is that I wish my government was better at helping them.*
It’s not we need green army men, tanks and machine guns to handle these people? The biggest scared babies in history are running the federal government atm.
- zer0 - Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 3:12 pm:
Danville, Decatur, Peoria, Springfield are among the cities with higher violent crime rates than Chicago.
Even if the Feds and illegally activated NG troops are deployed, there’s no chance you’re going to see them walking a beat on the south side (or probably not even out of the Loop). This money would be better spent on more CVI folks who are actually making a difference there.
Here’s hoping General Boyd refuses to obey any call up order not authorized by the Governor.
- DS - Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 3:20 pm:
It’s a good point about chicago crime, 44. I got murdered 3 times on my walk to the bus this morning.
- @misterjayem - Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 3:24 pm:
Grown men are posting on here about how they’re scared of Chicago while men, women and children in Chicago go about their day.
If you had any sense at all, you’d be humiliated.
– MrJM
- BE - Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 3:43 pm:
Bondi keeps talking about sending soldiers to sanctuary cities. Will troops be sent to Urbana? (not serious, but wouldn’t be that surprised. Just can’t use the crime rate, with Danville right there.)
- ThePAMan - Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 3:43 pm:
If the National Guard board the Blue Line at Forest Park they will never get downtown.
- Suburban Mom - Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 4:12 pm:
When MAGAs tell me they’re scared to set foot in Chicago, I tell them that’s probably a good thing, they’re not tough enough.
I, a petite, fat, suburban, white middle-aged woman, feel completely safe about it. Because I’m not a weak little crybaby scared of their own shadow.
The only possible weapon in my gigantic mom-purse is a travel corkscrew, but it’d take me a solid three minutes to find it and then I’d have to assemble it.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 4:33 pm:
===They’re not tough enough.===
What’s too often being missed here is that some families do live in truly tough neighborhoods and their lived experiences are too often publicly dismissed by those of us who do not live on those blocks.
As we’ve seen time and again, the crime issue “works” better in Chicago than anywhere else in the state.