Pritzker urged to avoid playing politics on crime issue by former Obama advisor

Former Obama adviser David Axelrod warns Illinois state government JB Pritzker not to participate in 2028 presidential politics Wednesday, Democratic governor continues to oppose president Donald TrumpPlans to send the National Guard to Chicago.

“I have a lot of respect for JB Pritzker, but I think I’m going to be careful when playing 28’28 politics on this issue because the correct answer is, ‘With the right help, we can get all the help as long as it does help,” Axelrod said in a discussion on Wednesday at “CNN” Arena. ”

The former Obama adviser said the National Guard was not trained or authorized to do such work. Trump announced on Wednesday He will deploy the National Guard to Chicago.

“So, you know, send us the resources you need. We want to work with you. If there are criminals, if there are people here who are doing illegal immigration for violent crimes for illegal immigration, we want them to leave our city. We will work with you. I think that’s the appropriate position,” Axelrod continued.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker spoke to the media after visiting the Metropolitan Peace Academy in Chicago, Illinois on September 3, 2025. David Axelrod, a former Obama consultant, held on February 13, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Scott Olson/Getty Images; Joshua Lott/AFP via Getty Images)

Obama slams Trump for using the National Guard to help cities fight crime as a “dangerous trend”

Pritzker and other Illinois leaders Still insisting that the National Guard is unpopular in Chicago, but the Trump administration has increased pressure on the governor to accept them.

Axelrod also said Trump was trying to draw Democrats into a trap, adding that the president saw the political advantage of Chicago’s crime problem.

“But what I’m going to say to you is, yes, people should be prosecuted. We don’t have high enough arrest rates in Chicago. We can use more police officers,” Axelrod said. “Let’s get more police officers on the street. All of that, more prosecutors. All of that is facts. But the question is whether it’s at the level.”

He added: “He saw a political calculation here. We have problems. I live in Chicago. Do you want to help? Help. Do you want to play politics? Go somewhere else.”

President Donald Trump walks Saturday, August 30, 2025 at Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

government. Pritzker said Trump tried to “create a crisis” as administrators plan to deploy in the National Guard to Chicago

MSNBC Host Joe Scarborough urges Pritzker Work with the president on Tuesday to resolve crimes in Chicago.

“I actually think JB Pritzker should do something radical,” Scarborough said. “I think he should answer the phone, call the president and say, ‘You know, I know you don’t have constitutional authority, can deploy the National Guard here and go to my [city]. You can do this in DC, you can’t do this in Chicago. But let’s get up. ‘”

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Scarborough comments have reported that at least 58 people are Shooting and eight people killed in Chicago On Labor Day weekend. MSNBC host criticized the crimes that Democratic leaders had understateed.

“Because now, just ‘hey, nothing is visible here, ‘going here, ‘hey, Donald Trump, we don’t need you,’ and the mayor talks about ‘we’re going to protect the dignity of people in our city.’ Well, protect their lives! Scarborough said.

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Pritzker’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.