Joe Scarborough thinks it is time for Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) to do something “radical” — “partner up” with Republican President Donald Trump to put an end to violent crime in Chicago.
Scarborough talked about this idea Tuesday on “Morning Joe,” per Mediaite.
It came after a weekend of violence in the Windy City where at least seven were killed and at least 54 people injured.
Scarborough spoke of his interview last week with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson who said more police would not solve the problem.
Scarborough rejected the “nothing-to-see-here” approach.
“I actually think that JB Pritzker should do something radical,” Scarborough said.
“I think he should pick up the phone, call the president. and say, ‘You know and I know you don’t have the Constitutional authority to deploy the National Guard here, and to police my [city]. You can do that in DC, you can’t do that in Chicago,” he continued. “But let’s partner up. These are the most dangerous parts of my state, we would love to figure out how to have a partnership that’s Constitutional that respects the the the sort of balance of federalism between the federal government and the state government. And let’s work together to save lives.”
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Scarborough also criticized Johnson for making the “dignity” of his constituents more important than their safety.
“The mayor talking about ‘we’re gonna protect people’s dignity in our city,’” Scarborough said. “Well, protect their lives! That’s protecting their dignity!”
Trump quickly went on Truth Social in response to Scarborough’s idea.
“At least 54 people were shot in Chicago over the weekend, 8 people were killed,” Trump wrote. “The last two weekends were similar. Chicago is the worst and most dangerous city in the World, by far. Pritzker needs help badly, he just doesn’t know it yet. I will solve the crime problem fast, just like I did in DC. Chicago will be safe again, and soon.”
Rev. Charles Harrison, senior pastor of Barnes United Methodist Church and board president of the Indianapolis Ten Point Coalition, agreed with Scarborough.
“It makes perfect sense for the governor and the president to collaborate on addressing the crime problem in Chicago,”
he said on X. “The problem in this country is that we put politics above the people.”
