WASHINGTON D.C. Oct 14, 2025 – in a fiery segment on Fox News’ Hannity, incoming Attorney General Pam Bondi sharply criticized Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker for resisting federal assistance to combat surging violent crime in Chicago, urging him to “beg” President-elect Donald Trump to intervene.
Bondi, appearing alongside host Sean Hannity, highlighted the Windy City’s dire situation, noting that Chicago recorded 571 homicides in 2024—a figure she described as unacceptable amid ongoing pleas from local leaders for more resources. “Pritzker should be begging Donald Trump to come in,” Bondi said, emphasizing the potential for federal-local partnerships to mirror successes seen elsewhere.
The discussion came amid Trump’s recent announcements of plans to deploy federal resources, including the National Guard, to high-crime urban areas. Bondi pointed to Memphis, Tennessee, as a model of progress, revealing that federal efforts there had led to the recovery of 44 missing children in a single operation. “Finding one missing child makes it all worthwhile,” she added, defining missing children as those abducted, runaways, or taken by non-custodial parents, all under 18.
Bondi drew a stark contrast with Washington, D.C., where Mayor Muriel Bowser’s cooperation with the incoming Trump administration has already yielded results. “Look how safe D.C. is now—because of Muriel Bowser working with Donald Trump,” she stated. In the nation’s capital, joint operations involving Metro Police, Transit Authority officers, federal agents, and the National Guard have reportedly contributed to a sharp decline in violent crime.
Pritzker’s opposition, Bondi argued, stems from political posturing rather than public safety concerns. “He is apoplectic that Donald Trump wants to come in and help Chicago and fix Chicago and make Chicago safe,” Hannity interjected, to which Bondi nodded in agreement, praising Memphis Mayor Paul Young for his willingness to collaborate.
The exchange underscores growing tensions between blue-state governors and the incoming Republican administration over crime-fighting strategies. While Chicago officials have reported some declines in murders from previous peaks, Bondi stressed that any baseline above zero remains intolerable, calling for immediate action.
This clip, shared widely on social media by the White House Rapid Response account, has sparked debate online, with supporters hailing Bondi’s no-nonsense approach and critics decrying it as partisan rhetoric. As Trump’s team prepares to take office, cities like Chicago may soon face pivotal decisions on whether to embrace or rebuff federal aid.