Chicago: Deadly Juneteenth Weekend Sparks Priest's Clash With Trump and Push for Gun Violence Department

A Weekend of Bloodshed

Chicago endured one of its deadliest holiday weekends in recent memory. At least seven people were killed and 36 others were wounded during the Father's Day and Juneteenth holiday period, according to preliminary tallies compiled by independent crime tracker HeyJackass.com.

The Chicago Police Department reported that from 6 p.m. Friday through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, the city saw 24 shootings resulting in 39 victims, six of them fatal. A separate count covering the full holiday weekend put the total at 43 people shot or killed, a 105 percent increase from the same weekend last year.

"The Father's Day weekend in Chicago saw 43 people shot or killed citywide, a 105% increase from the same weekend last year, according to preliminary reports," HeyJackass.com reported.

One of the deadliest single incidents occurred during a Juneteenth celebration on the Far South Side, where 14 people were shot, according to Second City Cop. A 14-year-old boy was among those killed over the long holiday weekend.

Pfleger Tells Trump to 'Shut Up'

President Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Sunday to comment on the violence. He claimed that 22 people had been shot and at least four were dead, then suggested sending federal forces into Chicago.

"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."

The response came quickly from Father Michael Pfleger, the well-known pastor of St. Sabina Catholic Church on Chicago's South Side. Pfleger told Trump to "shut up" and instead restore federal funding for gun violence prevention programs.

"I hear this morning on the news that Donald Trump said he wants to send people," Pfleger said. "He'll solve the gun violence in a month. First of all, the man lies every day."

Pfleger added that Trump had previously promised to solve the situation in Iran within a month.

"The reflecting pool was good for 50 years," Pfleger said. "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."

Leaders Clash Over Federal Intervention

Governor JB Pritzker pushed back against the president's offer of federal help. Pritzker said he did not believe Trump understood how to protect the state of Illinois, according to Second City Cop.

Mayor Brandon Johnson also rejected the idea of federal intervention. Johnson said Trump should "follow Chicago's lead and invest in Black America," arguing that the federal administration has cut funding for education, housing, and health care programs that make communities safer.

"It's unfortunate that this president has worked overtime to literally defund the efforts that create safer communities," Johnson said.

The White House defended Trump's position. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson told Fox News Digital that Trump's actions in Washington, D.C., and Memphis had "dramatically reduced violent crime."

"Chicago residents and visitors would benefit tremendously from the President's successful efforts to drive down crime and make American cities safe again," Jackson said.

Push for New Gun Violence Prevention Department

In response to the weekend's violence, community groups, faith leaders, and city officials gathered at City Hall on Monday to call for the creation of a Department of Gun Violence Prevention.

The proposed department would focus entirely on reducing gun violence and coordinating violence prevention programs across the city, according to FOX 32. Officials said the department would carry a $100 million budget drawn from existing public safety funds across city departments.

"This would create a stabilized department in the long term that isn't just responding to the whims of today when we're dealing with sustained issues," Deputy Mayor for Community Safety Emmanuel Andre said at a City Hall news conference.

Organizers from the group Live Free Illinois said the plan would move funds already in the city's budget to create a dedicated agency with contracting and procurement powers. The department would be able to put workers such as violence interrupters directly on the city's payroll.

The proposal would take up roughly 3 percent of the city's more than $3 billion public safety budget for the year. Few details were discussed regarding staffing or the department's structure.

A 14-Year-Old Among the Dead

The weekend's violence included the death of Marcus Chatman, a 14-year-old former player for Midwest Hawks Youth Football near Dolton. Chatman was shot and killed in Chicago, according to a Chicago Tribune report by Addison Wright.

His death is part of a broader pattern that has community leaders demanding systemic change rather than political posturing.