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A Chicago priest told President Donald Trump to “shut up” following his social media post about a violent Juneteenth weekend that saw at least six people killed and more than 30 others wounded across the city.
Father Michael Pfleger scolded Trump as Chicago community leaders on Monday called for a city agency to tackle gun violence prevention following the weekend’s bloodshed.
From 6 p.m. Friday through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Chicago had 24 shootings resulting in 39 victims, six of them fatal, according to the Chicago Police Department.
On Sunday, Trump remarked on Chicago’s crime woes in a Truth Social post, suggesting that federal forces be sent into the city.
6 DEAD, 39 SHOT IN CHICAGO BLOODBATH AS TRUMP TOUTS DC-STYLE CLEANUP WHERE NATIONAL GUARD STEPPED IN
“Lots of Killing going on in Chicago. 22 people shot, at least 4 Dead,” Trump wrote. “Why isn’t Governor Pritzker calling me for help. I could make Chicago a safe City in ONE MONTH, in ONE YEAR, it would be one of the safest!!! D.C. went from one of the worst, to one of the safest cities in the U.S. President DJT.”
On Monday, Pfleger, a prominent South Side priest at St. Sabina Catholic Church, criticized Trump for highlighting the violence.
“I hear this morning on the news that Donald Trump said he wants to send people,” he said. “He’ll solve the gun violence in a month. First of all, the man lies every day.”
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“The reflecting pool was good for 50 years,” Pfleger added. “And Iran was going to be solved in a month. Shut up, Donald. Just send money and restore the money you took away from gun violence prevention for 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 Monday morning at City Hall to support creating a Department of Gun Violence Prevention. The proposed department would focus entirely on reducing gun violence and helping coordinate violence prevention programs across the city, FOX 32 reported.
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State and city leaders have opposed federal intervention, saying they prefer investments in community-level crime prevention programs.
“President Trump’s bold actions in cities like D.C. and Memphis have dramatically reduced violent crime – local Democrat leaders in Chicago should see the President’s incredible results and be begging him to do the same in Chicago,” White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson told Fox News Digital. “Chicago residents and visitors would benefit tremendously from the President’s successful efforts to drive down crime and make American cities safe again.”
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson on Monday said he wished that Trump would “follow Chicago’s lead and invest in Black America,” saying the administration has made cuts to agencies and programs that make communities safer, including slashing funding for education, housing, and health care.
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“It’s unfortunate that this president has worked overtime to literally defund the efforts that create safer communities,” Johnson said.
“If you look at Donald Trump’s Black agenda, he promises to do all the things that I’m doing, but he’s failed to do it,” the mayor added, referring to the hiring of more young people, expanded mental health support services, and investing in more affordable homes.
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