Gunfire erupted across Chicago during Labor Day weekend, leaving 54 people shot and seven dead in a stretch of violence that has sparked a heated political clash between President Donald Trump and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.
According to New York Post, lawmakers clashed over federal intervention after dozens were shot and seven were killed across at least 32 different incidents in the city during the holiday weekend.
The violence began Friday evening, August 29, and continued into Monday afternoon, September 1, according to data reviewed by ABC News. Over that period, at least 32 separate shooting events were reported across various neighborhoods in Chicago.
Among the incidents, a 25-year-old woman was fatally shot on Friday night, struck in the abdomen and leg, while a 23-year-old woman was also injured in the same attack. On Saturday, a disturbing event in the Bronzeville neighborhood left seven people wounded around 11:10 p.m.; authorities later confirmed all victims were expected to survive.
Gunfire also tore into private homes. A 17-year-old girl was hit in the arm when a bullet passed through her front window. Elsewhere, a 31-year-old man was struck while caught between two moving vehicles engaged in a shootout. Several shootings took place while victims were driving through the city.
Another Weekend Of Tragedy Grips The City
At around 11 p.m. Saturday, two men, ages 29 and 32, were approached on a city street by a dark SUV. A shooter exited the vehicle and opened fire. The 29-year-old man later died from his injuries, and the 32-year-old was hospitalized and stabilized after being hit on his right side.
Gun violence continued into Monday morning. At least four shootings occurred in the early hours, including one that left a 48-year-old man critically injured, placing additional strain on local law enforcement and emergency services over the three-day weekend.
The surge of violence prompted swift criticism from President Trump, who used the social media platform Truth Social to denounce Gov. Pritzker’s resistance to deploying the National Guard. Trump labeled the governor "weak and pathetic" and warned of the potential for federal intervention if no changes occur.
Trump Threatens Action Amid Mounting Tension
In his post, Trump urged Pritzker to "straighten it out, FAST" and wrote, “we’re coming,” raising concerns that federal troops could face future deployment in Chicago if local and state governments do not act decisively to curtail gun crime.
Pritzker responded firmly in opposition on Sunday, stating there is no emergency justifying a military presence in the city. He emphasized that National Guard troops are not appropriate unless there is "an insurrection" or a "truly emergent threat.
He pushed back against calls for troops, adding that their arrival would amount to "an invasion with US troops." He vowed legal action against any federal move to forcibly send military personnel into Chicago without state consent.
Pritzker Stresses Local Control, Seeks Federal Agencies Instead
Despite rejecting the introduction of soldiers, Pritzker signaled his willingness to cooperate with federal law enforcement agencies. He expressed interest in increasing involvement from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the FBI to target firearms trafficking and violent crime.
“We would like [ATF] agents to take more guns off the streets,” the governor said. “We would like the FBI to coordinate with our local law enforcement to help catch perpetrators of crimes. If they would do that, we would welcome that.”
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson echoed Pritzker’s sentiment during a city event marking Labor Day. He concluded his public remarks with a clear message: “No troops in Chicago. Invest in Chicago.”
Chicago Violence Compared To Other U.S. Cities
The holiday weekend shootings came as the city continues to face a troubling rate of homicides. Last year, Chicago recorded 573 murders, higher than New York City’s 377 and Los Angeles’ 268, according to official data.
Still, when factoring in population, the city’s murder rate of 22 per 100,000 remains lower than Detroit's rate of 32, Washington, D.C.'s 27, and Atlanta’s 25. These numbers provide additional context to the broader national debate over crime and policing strategies.
The latest outbreak of violence follows earlier interventions by the federal government in other cities. In August, amid a public safety emergency, Trump sent large contingents of law enforcement and National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., which reportedly led to a 45% decline in violent crime and an 87% drop in carjackings, according to Mayor Muriel Bowser.
Federal Role In Urban Crime Response Under Spotlight
Previous instances of federal deployment include a June campaign in Los Angeles, where Trump authorized the use of 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines after anti-ICE riots erupted. By July 1, nearly all troops had been withdrawn from the area.
Trump’s team has increasingly promoted these cases as evidence that federal forces can help reduce crime, often using them as pressure points to urge local leaders in other cities to accept intervention. However, critics argue that such action undermines local authority and may lead to legal conflicts.
With the national election season approaching and crime staying top of mind for many voters, the standoff between Trump and Pritzker over Chicago’s future demonstrates deep divisions about how to tackle America’s gun violence crisis.
