Chicago priest tells Trump to shut up after Juneteenth weekend violence
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A Chicago priest told President Donald Trump to “shut up” after a social media post about a violent Juneteenth weekend that left at least six people dead and more than 30 injured across the city.
The Rev. Michael Pfleger rebuked Trump on Monday after Chicago community leaders called on a city agency to prevent gun violence after the weekend’s bloodshed.
According to the Chicago Police Department, from 6pm on Friday to 11:59pm on Sunday, there were 24 shootings in Chicago, resulting in 39 victims, six of them fatal.
On Sunday, Trump addressed Chicago’s crime problems in a post on Truth Social and suggested sending federal forces to the city.
6 DEAD, 39 SHOT IN CHICAGO KANBANK WHILE TRUMP TALKED ABOUT DC-STYLE CLEANUP WHILE THE NATIONAL GUARD COMES INTO ACTIVATION
Chicago pastor Michael Pfleger told President Donald Trump to “shut up” after he spoke about a violent weekend in the city that left six people dead and dozens injured. (Getty images)
“There are many murders in Chicago. 22 people shot, at least 4 dead,” Trump wrote. “Why doesn’t Governor Pritzker call me for help? I can make Chicago a safe City in ONE MONTH, in ONE YEAR, it will be one of the safest cities!!! DC has gone from one of the worst cities to one of the safest cities in the US President DJT.”
On Monday, St. Pfleger, a prominent South Side priest at Sabina Catholic Church, criticized Trump for emphasizing violence.
“I heard on the news this morning that Donald Trump said he wanted to send people away,” he said. “He’ll solve gun violence in a month. First of all, the guy lies every day.”
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“The reflecting pool was good for 50 years,” Pfleger added. “And the Iran problem was going to be solved in a month. Shut up, Donald. Just send money and get back the money you got from preventing gun violence in the city of Chicago and across this country. Give the money back now.”
In response to the violence, community groups, faith leaders and city officials gathered at City Hall Monday morning to support the creation of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention. The proposed department would be entirely focused on reducing gun violence and helping coordinate violence prevention programs citywide, FOX 32 reported.
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State and city leaders have opposed federal intervention, saying they prefer to invest in community-level crime prevention programs.
“President Trump’s bold actions in cities like D.C. and Memphis have significantly reduced violent crime; local Democratic leaders in Chicago should see the President’s incredible results and implore him to do the same in Chicago,” White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told Fox News Digital. “Residents and visitors to Chicago will benefit greatly from the President’s successful efforts to reduce crime and make American cities safe again.”
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said Monday that he wishes Trump would “follow in Chicago’s footsteps and invest in Black America” and said the administration has made cuts to institutions and programs that make communities safer, including cutting funding for education, housing and health care.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and President Donald Trump clashed over law and order in Chicago. (Scott Olson/Getty Images; Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
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“It is unfortunate that this president is working overtime to fully fund efforts to create safer communities,” Johnson said.
“If you look at Donald Trump’s Black agenda, he promises to do everything I did, but he hasn’t been able to do it,” the mayor added, citing hiring more young people, expanding mental health support services and investing in more affordable housing.
