Trump Says ‘African-American Ladies’ Are Asking Him to Bring Crime Crackdown to Chicago

President Donald Trump says his crime-fighting plan in Washington, D.C., is working — and now he wants to expand it to other cities.

On Friday, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that Chicago is likely next. He praised the National Guard and D.C. police for doing what he called an “incredible job” during his administration’s federal takeover of the nation’s capital.

“After we do this, we will go to another location and make it safe also,” Trump said. “Chicago is a mess, you have an incompetent mayor, grossly incompetent. We’ll straighten that one out. That will probably be our next one after this.”

He added that residents are asking him to bring the crackdown to Chicago. “It won’t even be tough. The people of Chicago… are screaming for us to come. They’re wearing red hats, just like this one,” Trump said, pointing to a new hat that read “Trump Was Right About Everything.”

“African-American ladies, beautiful ladies, are saying, ‘Please President Trump, come to Chicago, please,’ ” he continued. “I did great with the Black vote, as you know. They want something to happen.”

In the 2024 election, Trump improved his support among Black voters compared to 2020, though he still only won about 20% nationwide. In Cook County, Illinois — home to Chicago — he received just over 28%.

“So I think Chicago will be our next, then we’re gonna help with New York,” Trump said.

On social media, the president celebrated what he described as major progress in D.C. “Washington, D.C. is SAFE AGAIN!” he wrote on Truth Social. “The crowds are coming back, the spirit is high, and our D.C. National Guard and Police are doing a fantastic job. They are out in force, and are NOT PLAYING GAMES!!!”

He also claimed the city had experienced no murders that week, adding, “Mayor Muriel Bowser must immediately stop giving false and highly inaccurate crime figures, or bad things will happen, including a complete and total Federal takeover of the City! Washington D.C. will soon be great again!!!”

Trump first announced his crime crackdown on Aug. 11, when he told reporters he was taking control of the Metropolitan Police Department and sending in the National Guard. He put Attorney General Pam Bondi in charge of the city’s police and said he would bring in other military forces “if needed.”

“Today we’re formally declaring a public safety emergency,” he said at that press conference.

The move has sparked protests across D.C. Some demonstrators have pushed back against curfews and surprise ICE checkpoints. In Dupont Circle, protesters were surrounded by a National Guard Humvee as they chanted, “Danger! Danger! There’s a fascist in the White House!”

Last week, Trump said the 30-day takeover of the D.C. police would likely be extended. He also confirmed that he wants to bring similar efforts to other cities.

“We’re going to need a crime bill… and it’s going to pertain initially to D.C.,” Trump said during another event. “We’re going to use [D.C.] as a very positive example and we’re going to be asking for extensions on that long-term.”

“That’s going to serve as a beacon for New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and other places all over the country,” he added. “Our whole country is going to be so different and so great. It’s going to be clean and safe and beautiful, and people are going to love our flag more than they’ve ever loved it. And we’re going to do a great job.”