President Donald Trump wrote to Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot (D) and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) to ask the two leaders to “put partisanship aside” so that “we can revitalize distressed neighborhoods in Chicago, together.” However, the two leaders pushed back on it.
In a letter sent on Friday to the mayor and governor, Trump called for and urged “action on the devastating violence in Chicago.”
“Your lack of leadership on this important issue continues to fail the people you have sworn to protect,” he wrote. “I am concerned it is another example of your lack of commitment to the vulnerable citizens who are victims of this violence and a lack of respect for the men and women in law enforcement.”
The president noted violence in Chicago. During Father’s Day weekend, there were 104 people shot, 14 of those people died, including a 3-year-old boy, according to a report.
“I will continue to lead the way to support historically disadvantaged communities and would welcome your help in these endeavors,” Trump wrote in the letter, adding, “Unlike previous Administrations of both parties, I am willing to tackle unsolved challenges.”
The president then urged the mayor and governor to “put partisanship aside” so that they could work together.
“If you are willing to put partisanship aside, we can revitalize distressed neighborhoods in Chicago, together. But to succeed, you must establish law and order. […] If you are interested, I am willing to ask members of my Cabinet to meet with you and help devise a plan to make Chicago safe, since a successful formula has escaped both you and your predecessors.”
“Unfortunately, you continue to put your own political interests ahead of the lives, safety, and fortunes of your own citizens. The people of Chicago deserve better,” he concluded.
See Trump’s full letter below:
Just released by the @WhiteHouse: A letter from @POTUS to @GovPritzker and @chicagosmayor urging "action on the devastating violence in Chicago." pic.twitter.com/KWCblLQn8O
— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) June 27, 2020
The Chicago mayor, however, pushed back after Trump’s letter, writing on Twitter, “I don’t need leadership lessons from Donald Trump.”
She also claimed the president was “using the victims of gun violence in our city to score cheap political points, spew racist rhetoric, and ignore the impact of COVID across this country.”
Lightfoot added in another tweet:
“It is despicable, disgusting and all too typical. Same old tired playbook. How about some leadership not steeped in the divide and conquer tactics?”
As our police officers, street outreach workers and residents continue to work tirelessly to keep our communities safe, he's using the victims of gun violence in our city to score cheap political points, spew racist rhetoric, and ignore the impact of COVID across this country.
— Archived: Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot (@mayorlightfoot) June 27, 2020
I stand with @GovPritzker in providing for the safety and well-being of our residents.
— Archived: Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot (@mayorlightfoot) June 27, 2020
Additionally, in a statement Pritzker wrote, “President Trump is a failure who has once again resorted to a press stunt in order to detract from his long list of failures, especially his response to the deadly coronavirus and nationwide calls for racial justice.”
He added, “The people of this state and this nation have unfortunately come to expect his unhinged attempts to politicize tragedy with his predictable and worn-out strategy to distract, distract, distract. The Governor stands with the Mayor in working to accomplish meaningful change.”
