US President Donald Trump on Friday said Chicago is likely to be the next target of his efforts to crack down on crime, homelessness and illegal immigration.
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Trump indicated that the Midwestern city could receive similar treatment to what he has done in Washington, where he has deployed 2,000 troops on the streets.
“I think Chicago will be our next,” Trump told reporters at the White House, adding, “And then we’ll help with New York.”
The comments came as the Pentagon on Friday began ordering troops in Washington to carry firearms, though there have been no overt indications they have faced threats that would require them to carry weapons.
Trump has repeatedly described some of the nation’s largest cities – run by Democrats, with black mayors and majority-minority populations – as dangerous and filthy.
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He singled out Chicago on Friday, calling it a “mess” and saying residents there are “screaming for us to come” despite significant decreases in crimes of violence.