Chicago is once again in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons after a week filled with violence, tragedy, and rising frustration. On Monday night, a 26-year-old woman was allegedly set on fire while riding the city’s public transit system. The man accused of this horrific act reportedly has a rap sheet stretching back 30 years, with at least 72 arrests and around 15 convictions. The woman remains in critical condition, fighting for her life.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson called the incident an “isolated” event during a press conference on Thursday. But for many residents, it doesn’t feel isolated. It feels like part of a growing pattern. And just days later, more violence followed that only deepened those concerns.
Bethany MaGee is currently fighting for her life because a career criminal with 72 arrests was allowed to walk free.
He soaked her in gasoline and set her on fire on a Chicago train while saying “Burn b*tch.”
This monster should have been behind bars a long time ago.
Judges… pic.twitter.com/MPDZZjk4z8
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) November 23, 2025
On Friday night, shortly after the city’s official Christmas tree lighting ceremony, chaos broke out again — this time in the Loop, one of the city’s busiest and most iconic downtown areas. According to law enforcement and local media reports, a large crowd of around 300 teenagers began rioting near State and Randolph streets around 10 p.m. Officers on the scene were allegedly attacked with mace and stun guns. Several were injured, and at least one officer had to be hospitalized.
The fallout was immediate and devastating. At least eight teens were shot during the riot. Among the injured were a 13-year-old, two 14-year-olds, a 15-year-old, a 16-year-old, and a 17-year-old. A 14-year-old boy later died from his injuries. An 18-year-old man was also shot and wounded. It all unfolded in the heart of the city’s business district, not far from where families and tourists had gathered earlier for the tree lighting.
Chicago just lit the Christmas tree… and the city lit up with gunfire.
Seven teens shot. Bodies on the pavement. Sirens drowning out Christmas songs. And this is supposed to be “joy to the world.”
This is what happens when a city surrenders its streets to chaos… when… pic.twitter.com/akahPRV1ih
Should federal assistance be allowed in addressing crime in Chicago?— A Gene Robinson (@AlBuffalo2nite) November 22, 2025
Chicago’s 2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins described the scene as chaotic and dangerous. He confirmed that police were outnumbered and that the crowd was aggressive, using chemical sprays and weapons against officers. The Chicago Police Department has launched an investigation into the incident, and no arrests were immediately announced.
President Donald Trump responded to the news over the weekend, using his Truth Social account to criticize state and local leaders for what he described as their refusal to accept help. He said both Governor JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson have repeatedly turned down his offers to send in the National Guard to help stabilize the city. “Pritzker and the low-IQ Mayor of Chicago are refusing Federal Government help for a situation that could be quickly remedied,” the president wrote.
“Massive crime and rioting in the Chicago Loop area. Multiple Police Officers attacked and badly injured. 300 people rioting, 6 victims shot, one critical and one DEAD… The people are chanting, BRING IN TRUMP!!!” – President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/wDGFvIQKP3
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) November 22, 2025
Trump has previously referenced his success in reducing crime in Washington, D.C. during his earlier term, and said Chicago could see the same results if local leaders would allow federal resources to assist. But so far, neither the governor’s office nor the mayor’s office has accepted those offers.
Critics of Chicago’s leadership have long argued that lenient policies and reduced support for law enforcement have contributed to the city’s ongoing public safety issues. Those criticisms have grown louder in recent years, especially as high-profile incidents like this week’s train attack and Loop shooting dominate the headlines.
Despite repeated statements from Mayor Johnson and Governor Pritzker assuring the public that safety is a top priority, many Chicago residents say they no longer feel safe in their own neighborhoods or while commuting to work. Parents are worried, business owners are frustrated, and law enforcement is stretched thin.
As the violence continues and young lives are lost, the pressure on city and state officials to find real solutions keeps growing. Whether those solutions come from local reforms, state-level changes, or federal assistance remains to be seen. But for now, the people of Chicago are left with more questions than answers — and another week of tragedy that has left a deep mark on the city.
