* The party of limited government…
President Donald Trump on Wednesday called for the jailing of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, both Democrats, accusing them of “failing to protect” Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers who have been sent to the city.
His comments mark another escalation — at least in rhetoric — against Democratic leaders in Illinois who have been pushing back against his immigration crackdown there. There is no evidence that either Johnson or Pritzker has done anything to warrant jail time, and the White House did not specify which laws the president believes they have broken.
“Chicago Mayor should be in jail for failing to protect Ice Officers! Governor Pritzker also!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social network.
The post is here.
* The president didn’t elaborate, but the Tribune speculates…
Trump’s comments appeared to refer to instructions sent to Chicago police during a protest that emerged on the Southwest Side after federal immigration agents shot a woman they later accused of ramming them with a car.
Conservatives have been in a furor after an internal dispatch from the department’s chief of patrol that said, “no units would respond” to a call for assistance from armed Border Patrol agents who said they were in the middle of a crowd about two hours after being targeted in two hit-and-runs.
Snelling on Monday denied that officers had been told to stand down, but did concede, “I will say there was a lot of miscommunication, back and forth about what was really happening out there on the ground, and we need to do better.”
* CBS 2…
Pritzker issued a statement on X in response to President Trump’s post.
“I will not back down. Trump is now calling for the arrest of elected representatives checking his power. What else is left on the path to full-blown authoritarianism?” Pritzker wrote.
Pritzker continued in a thread of X posts: “His masked agents already are grabbing people off the street. Separating children from their parents. Creating fear. Taking people for ‘how they look.’ Making people feel they need to carry citizenship papers. Invading our state with military troops. Sending in war helicopters in the middle of the night. Arresting elected officials asking questions.”
Mayor Johnson also posted to X.
“This is not the first time Trump has tried to have a Black man unjustly arrested,” he wrote. “I’m not going anywhere.”
* Drudge’s front page…
* Asked for comment, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives dodged the question. I do not believe a follow-up question was asked.
*** UPDATE *** Gov. Pritzker was asked about the president’s statement today…
Look, he’s a coward. He says a lot of things to the camera. He likes to pretend to be a tough guy. Come and get me. […]
I mean, look, he’s demented, literally unhinged. And this is somebody who’s so insecure that he lashes out, pretending that he can come arrest people for no reason at all. He can’t. He isn’t going to do it. TACO. Trump always chickens out.
- curtis - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 11:55 am:
Notably, Chicago does not have a Vice Mayor right now due to Burnett resigning. Would be a good thing to have in place with this.
- AlfondoGonz - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 12:00 pm:
How far will MAGA take things? Does anyone doubt they’ll cheer baseless arrests of public officials, show trials, draconian sentences?
- Jocko - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 12:01 pm:
==accusing them of failing to protect==
President Gaslight is at it again. I’m reminded of last week’s fatal shooting when the ICE agent described his injuries as “nothing major”.
- BE - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 12:05 pm:
I guess the Speaker needs to read a headline about it first… (Ref. to his comment yesterday about how he didn’t have details but had seen a headline that furloughed fed workers didn’t really -need- to be paid for the shutdown. Even though there is a Trump-signed law from 2019 that says they should be paid.)
- Dpiman - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 12:08 pm:
Trump won get over it.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 12:08 pm:
The President is not well. The 25th Amendment should be invoked before it is too late.
Stunned that so many courts have not put a stop to this yet. And the mainstream media is still playing “both sides” coverage games and normalizing this Administration’s reckless and unlawful actions.
- Trinity - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 12:10 pm:
Anyone else just have 2pac lyrics running through their head? Dang, Pac was even right about DT! All eyez on us!
“The feds is watchin’, plottin’ to get me
Will I survive? Will I die? Come on, let’s picture the possibility
Givin’ me charges, lawyers makin’ a grip…”
We are one of the most influential cities in this world, BRING IT!
Chicagoans, Illinoians and Americans won’t stand for it.
Is he trying to stop the marathon from happening?
- Demoralized - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 12:10 pm:
==Trump won get over it.==
That right dang it. Get over the trampling of our Constitution. He won so he can do whatever he wants. /s/
- NIU Grad - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 12:14 pm:
For Republicans on the Hill and Conservative Supreme Court Justices…this is just another day at the office, apparently.
- 2nd Amendment Follower - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 12:18 pm:
So now the threshold for saying someone has dementia or the 25th Amendment should be invoked is disagreement? The reality these over-the-top statements from President Trump are in line with his previous actions and statements. At some point maybe figure out he is doing it for a reason.
- Alton Sinkhole - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 12:23 pm:
==So now the threshold for saying someone has dementia or the 25th Amendment should be invoked is disagreement?==
The threshold should probably be threatening to throw elected official in jail because they won’t do their bidding.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 12:29 pm:
===disagreement===
It’s not that I don’t agree with his policy positions (and I don’t), it is that he is using the United States Constitution to wipe his @$$ on a daily basis. If you believe in our Republic, you should also be alarmed by what is happening.
On the other hand, if you want a king to govern us, by all means, continue on the path you’re heading down.
- DuPage Dad - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 12:34 pm:
ICE’s budget was increased to $28 billion under the One Big Beautiful Bill, which would be the 17th largest military in the world if it was on its own (behind Canada and ahead of Turkey). But ICE can’t protect itself?
- Steve Rogers - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 12:34 pm:
==Trump won get over it.==
Ok, Biden won in 2020, perhaps you should get over that, then we can have an adult conversation.
- Rudy’s teeth - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 12:36 pm:
The president’s behavior and comments reflect the trifecta of attributes: Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Intermittent Explosive Disorder, and Impulsivity. Consider his tweets, insults, random capitol letters, low vocabulary. Adding to the mix, he can be crass and lacks empathy.
Don’t think it’s dementia but a combination of factors which comprise behavior exhibited in speeches and tweets.
- Steve - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 12:36 pm:
Governor Pritzker talking about the health of another politician is noteworthy.
- Stephanie Kollmann - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 12:39 pm:
CPD wouldn’t have to guess what was happening with the protest had it and other state/local law enforcement (like ISP) already been present to investigate the fact that a Chicagoan had been shot, which it a) knew about and b) had the power (arguably, responsibility) to investigate.
But, re: responsibility, that’s just an opinion comment about good governance and morality. It’s not a crime if they don’t show up or make arrests.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 12:53 pm:
=Trump won get over it.=
Ooohh, sick burn.
Also, how is that working out for farmer’s? Asking for a friend.
=Governor Pritzker talking about the health of another politician is noteworthy.=
LOL. Have you ever read or listened to trump talk about oh, I don’t know, anyone? Ever?
- Save Ferris - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 12:56 pm:
“The President is not well. The 25th Amendment should be invoked before it is too late.”
Donnie is exactly who he is. It’s too late.
- Chicago Voter - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 1:00 pm:
This is rich coming from a convicted felon.
- System Reboot - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 1:01 pm:
You know you’ve gone too far right if the DRUDGE REPORT’s not with you
- TheInvisibleMan - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 1:01 pm:
“How far will MAGA take things?”
You know the answer, you just don’t want it to be the answer.
We’re well past the point of no return. Things will progress now until we learn the lessons which have been forgotten. That’s just how people work.
- TZCounty - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 1:11 pm:
Didn’t Drudge sell in 2015?
- Banish Misfortune - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 1:13 pm:
I recommend re reading the Declaration of Independence. Not the oft quoted first paragraph but the long boring list of grievances against the king of England. Frankly the list reads like a to-do list for republicans. Everything old is new, the refusal to carry out laws, tariffs, restrictions on naturalizations, the military, judges- it’s all there.
So, we have been here before. Take heart, I do believe that persons of good will and determination will prevail.
- Think again - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 1:15 pm:
= too far right if the DRUDGE REPORT’s not with you=
Its no the Drudge you think it is anymore…
“Drudge Report Bias Moved from Lean Right to Center: AllSides Analysis”
https://www.allsides.com/blog/drudge-report-bias-moved-lean-right-center-allsides-analysis
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 1:16 pm:
===Didn’t Drudge sell in 2015? ===
And that question matters to this post… why?
Stay on topic, people. There’s more than enough here to comment about.
- TZCounty - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 1:37 pm:
Sorry Rich,
As for the post. I don’t understand the update re: JB’s TACO comment. He made the same one after Trump initially held back sending NG troops. Now they are here.
JB’s comms team has been poor the last few weeks. He should clean house and bring in some Newsome folks.
- Loop Lady - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 1:38 pm:
I feel like both of these men need to go to the Principals office and simmer down.
Trump is clearly bending the Constitution to defend his reality.
Pritzker should continue calling Trump out on this, and stop making a medical diagnosis.
- Pundent - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 1:45 pm:
=JB’s comms team has been poor the last few weeks.=
I would say they’re spot on. They know what gets the attention of Trump and the media. I don’t necessarily like its accomplishing its objective.
- tallone - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 1:45 pm:
TrumpIs president “perpetual double down” when he loses dn he’s losing. My own feeling is that this ride is gonna get wilder.
- Save Ferris - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 1:50 pm:
“He should clean house and bring in some Newsome folks.”
“Hey, JB? We think you should host a podcast and have fellow Illinoisian Nick Fuentes on as a guest.”
- Pundent - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 1:56 pm:
=Pritzker should continue calling Trump out on this, and stop making a medical diagnosis.=
The sad reality is that simply saying that Trump is violating the constitution doesn’t get much of a reaction. That cake is already baked and the media seems indifferent. Saying that Trump has dementia gets a reaction (as Joe Biden knows first hand). People expect the Democratic Party to take the high road. It’s noteworthy when they don’t. Sad times we find ourselves in. But that’s the current reality.
- here we go again - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 1:57 pm:
Scores of people are shot most every week in Chicago and the President is trying to help do something about it. But he’s the bad guy. Got it.
- Amalia - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 1:57 pm:
Buckle up, it will probably get worse. How to act in the face of such ridiculous wishes from the President? Panic while remaining calm. it’s not easy. the temptation is to call those sent “thugs.” this is not remaining calm even as one panics. what the President seems to want is chaos. He’s fueling the sentiments of those who actually don’t protest peacefully AND those who don’t like hearing the governor call law enforcement thugs and who always have bad intentions in mind. Don’t feel the chaos beast. function with the law, think of ways to keep the people safe, give advice and comfort to those who need it. Above all else start looking at other things the President will exploit, criminal situations, groups of people who may be vulnerable. Be angry inside, but not outside. He’s a terrible, wrong beast. Unfortunately he’s really good at it.
- Crispy - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 2:04 pm:
@here we go again–He couldn’t care less about the safety of Chicagoans, and he has done zip to make the city safer. This is a political stunt designed to punish blue states and cities while terrorizing brown people and anyone else who might oppose his regime.
If he wanted to help fight crime, his administration would have coordinated with state and local governments and offered assistance in high-crime areas–but that hasn’t happened.
It’s a little late in the day, but surely it’s past time you realized you’ve been conned.
- Steve - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 2:07 pm:
-But he’s the bad guy.-
You have to respect the voters who have voted for this. That’s the way federalism works. Chicago has real unity on paying for high taxes and half used government schools. That’s what the voters want.
- Morty - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 2:08 pm:
Nobody panics when things go “according to plan.” Even if the plan is horrifying!- Stephen Miller (probably) /s
- localgovhero - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 2:09 pm:
@herewegoagain
https://www.newsweek.com/major-cities-higher-murder-rates-chicago-2123275
If you think that sending National Guardsmen in is going to help, you have drank the Kool Aid of the new Republican party. Honest to god, if Biden sent the guard in to every podunk town with higher rates of crime, I would also be losing my cool right now.
- Save Ferris - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 2:10 pm:
“Scores of people are shot most every week in Chicago and the President is trying to help do something about it.”
Good thing Donnie’s stormtroopers are patrolling… (checks) Michigan Avenue where it’s a daily hail of bullets.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 2:11 pm:
Pritzker is doing exactly the right thing here. Call the guy out for what he is. If only more of the national Dems would jump on the bandwagon.
- Blue to the Bone - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 2:13 pm:
=Scores of people are shot most every week in Chicago and the President is trying to help do something about it.=
The convicted felon in the White House didn’t send ICE to our state for any other reason than to round up hard-working immigrants in our communities. If they somehow capture someone with a criminal record, they rejoice and tell the media how successful they are at fighting crime. So don’t try and gaslight us. ICE isn’t here to help curb gun violence and I’d enjoy hearing about a Republican policy that is remotely effective doing so.
- Rudy’s teeth - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 2:15 pm:
The president’s speeches reflect meandering and wandering off topic and a lack of discipline in preparation and content. His inability to stay focused is a detriment to the office of the president.
He craves an audience, rambles on and on, and turns up at events like a bad penny.
- Panther Pride - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 2:24 pm:
Gotta admit, I didn’t expect Pritzker to be the one to break our streak of IL Governors not going to prison. /s
In all seriousness, I’m glad the Governor is and has been taking a stand. I also think it goes deeper for him than political ambition or even a sense of duty to Illinoisans. One doesn’t spend the time he has studying WWII and spending time with Holocaust survivors and not speak out against authoritarianism.
- Ducky LaMoore - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 2:25 pm:
“Scores of people are shot most every week in Chicago and the President is trying to help do something about it.”
Are you the editor-in-chief of The Onion? First, it’s not his job. He should do his job (see THE CONSTITUTION). Second, crime is way down now. He wasn’t doing this in his first term when crime was actually higher. Why? Hmm….
- Which One’s Pink - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 2:40 pm:
The TDS and pearl clutching among Dems is stunning. Latest polling on CNN seems to suggest that that a majority of those polled say Trump is doing exactly what he promised to do.
Trump is not deranged or demented like the previous occupant of the Oval Office who trampled on the constitutional rights of GOP. Senators and other conservatives who leaned on social media platforms to censor their speech.
- dtownresident - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 2:51 pm:
“If he wanted to help fight crime, his administration would have coordinated with state and local governments and offered assistance in high-crime areas–but that hasn’t happened.”
The FBI and the Chicago Police have been cooridinating and rounding up wanted actual criminals. There have been multiple rounds of a moast wanted list. That and other items plus more federal funding for police and community orgs are how they will really reduce crime. Not this theater.
- low level - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 2:53 pm:
If President Obama or Biden had sent the IL National Guard to TX, we wouldnt hear the end of it.
==scores of people being shot in Chicago==
Thats why they have avoided Englewood, right?
- West Sider - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 2:58 pm:
“Scores of people are shot most every week in Chicago and the President is trying to help do something about it.”
If you actually want to do something- you work with the Governor and the Mayor. You pick up the phone and call Superintendent Snelling and ask how you can help- what you don’t do is… anything that has occurred in the past 9 months.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 3:00 pm:
=== You have to respect the voters who have voted for this. ===
No you don’t. You’re supposed to respect the results of the vote under our democracy. A majority of the people you expect us to respect, didn’t respect the vote results in 2020. Now our elected federal leaders embrace lying, hate, cruelty and corruption. None of this was a surprise in 2024.
- Amalia - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 3:03 pm:
and don’t let the chaos master distract from the important work of elections in 2026. gotta win.
- Original Rambler - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 3:37 pm:
Ducky and West Sider make good points. If DJT had any interest in fighting crime he would take the funds paying for ICE and the NG and redirect it to assist local law enforcement.
I’m hoping our judicial system is able to withstand the deluge coming its way, and that our Supreme Court goes back to Constitutional Law basics.
- low level - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 3:55 pm:
Wow. Donnie has made me view Mayor Johnson more sympathetically. I didnt think that was possible.
- Boone Logan Square - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 4:03 pm:
I never want to hear another Republican use the words liberty or freedom ever again.
- Roadrager - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 5:02 pm:
==The TDS and pearl clutching among Dems is stunning. Latest polling on CNN seems to suggest that that a majority of those polled say Trump is doing exactly what he promised to do.
Trump is not deranged or demented like the previous occupant of the Oval Office who trampled on the constitutional rights of GOP. Senators and other conservatives who leaned on social media platforms to censor their speech.==
It’s unusually nice outside for October. The grass is still green. For the love of all things holy, go out there and touch it.
- btowntruth from forgottonia - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 5:07 pm:
“I feel like both of these men need to go to the Principals office and simmer down.”
Oh no.
No no no.Do NOT “both sides” that.
One side is threatening to have someone arrested because they’re mad at them.
- ArchPundit - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 5:20 pm:
===edirect it to assist local law enforcement.
Or back to the grants he funded that use violent interrupters and other successful interventions. Chicago and other cities are having some success in reducing violence through means other than only enforcement. Both are needed obviously.
- Rudy’s teeth - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 5:24 pm:
On the north side Cub fans packed Wrigley Field for the Cubs/Brewers game being played now. Near the Hancock and central city, three helicopters are hovering overhead. Waiting for the protest and marchers through the city. Am not looking forward to the rest of the evening.
- Pundent - Wednesday, Oct 8, 25 @ 6:05 pm:
=The TDS and pearl clutching among Dems is stunning.=
The President is ignoring the constitution. He’s weaponized the Justice Department, invaded our cities, and has now called for the arrest of the Mayor and Governor. The fact that it was expected does not make it excusable. What would be deranged would be treating this as anything other than abnormal.