This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

A Christian-run bakery is under attack by one of the political subdivisions of the state of Colorado, which has established in recent years a long list of acts of "hostility" to members of the faith.

That "hostility" designation actually came from the U.S. Supreme Court, which rejected the leftist state's anti-faith agenda in a fight over the messaging on cakes produced by a popular different bakery.

The state has tried to same scheme against a web designer, and now is attacking the speech of counselors in a related fight.

But the newest blaze that has erupted in the state is over a French bakery in Jefferson County, just west of Denver itself.

A report at the Federalist notes that it is a zoning authority that has ordered an end to the bakery that has proven popular in its community.

The report explains the bakery, Et Voila!, opened up in the Lookout Mountain community, overlooking Golden.

It is, the report said, "a must-visit destination for hikers, mountain bikers, and tourists from all over the globe."

The restaurant is run by three French immigrants, husband-and-wife team of Eric and Rachel Defour and Rachel's sister, Ruth.

"The Dufours want to share their love for authentic French cuisine with the Lookout Mountain community, creating a welcoming space for locals and visitors. They also count on the bakery's financial success to support their nonprofit, Serving Alongside Ministry (SAM), which provides counseling services for Christian organizations and leaders globally," the Federalist explained.

They sold their home and spent almost a year changing a storage building into a clean and inviting space.

Their work consumes their time, as the bakery is open six days a week, with chores beginning at 1 a.m., long before the opening at 7 a.m.

They knew they had to live nearby, as Colorado winters can be intimidating, with snowfall measured in feet, so they arranged temporary living facilities adjacent to the restaurant, two trailers that were customized to match the bakery's designs and colors.

Enter the Jefferson County zoning inspectors, who are insisting that the bakery site is not available for any residential use – ever.

And county officials there have refused to accommodate the community's needs for a restaurant with a variance, despite evidence that enforcing their ruling would cause the business to close.

The Dufours now are appealing for help on Change.org, which has gathered thousands of signatures praising the bakery and challenging the zoning.

The report also noted CNBC has rated Colorado at "D+" for the cost of doing business, and a "C-" for business friendliness, and as the county is facing a $30 million budget shortfall, its intention appears to be "destroy a thriving business and a cherished community hub simply to enforce its zoning ordinance."

Colorado, the state, already has lost at the Supreme Court its war against another bakery over the owner's refusal to spout state-approved LGBT messaging in violation of his own faith. Same results, from the same Supreme Court, in the state's war against a web designer. Still pending is the state's demand that counselors say only state-approved words in counseling clients.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

In the wake of the deadly Catholic church shooting in Minneapolis Wednesday, the city's mayor and other Democrats are ridiculing the notion of sending "thoughts and prayers" to the two child victims' families.

First Minneapolis Democrat Mayor Jacob Frey, speaking to media after the attack at Annunciation Catholic School, angrily discounted the value of prayer in the aftermath of the tragedy, tying in the fact the children shot were literally praying in the church as they were killed.

Echoing their party's reaction to past school shootings, other Democrats are seconding Frey's remarks, including former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki.

She posted to X: "Prayer is not freaking enough. Prayers does not end school shootings. prayers do not make parents feel safe sending their kids to school. Prayer does not bring these kids back. Enough with the thoughts and prayers."

Meanwhile, the Democratic National Committee is holding its summer meeting in Minneapolis, and Wednesday's session was adjourned when news broke of the shooting, which occurred about 10 minutes away from the Democrats' confab.

Ironically, the chairman of the DNC, Ken Martin, apparently did not get the "prayers-bad" memo, as he called the committee to prayer as he adjourned the meeting, reported Fox News.

"[Such shootings are] unacceptable and far too commonplace in our nation. It's just far too commonplace. Folks, we need your prayers. We need your faith. And we need leadership to stop this evil," Martin told Democrats.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom blamed the Republican Party for the shooting, posting on X: "The GOP will continue to do absolutely nothing while our kids are being gunned down. This is sick."

Newsom did not mention that the governor of Minnesota, the attorney general, the majority of the State Senate and the mayor of Minneapolis are all Democrats.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

Officials responded to a mass-casualty shooting Wednesday morning at a Catholic church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where at least two children were killed and 17 others injured.

The shooting took place about 8:30 a.m. at the Annunciation Church, which has a kindergarten-through-8th-grade school on the property. The shooter fired from outside the building through a window and shot children and staff members who were attending morning mass.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara says the shooter who was in his early twenties was armed with a rifle, a shotgun and a pistol. He ultimately killed himself.

"This was a deliberate act of violence against innocent children and other people worshiping," O'Hara said at a midday news conference. "The sheer cruelty and cowardice of firing into a church full of children is absolutely incomprehensible."

"Two children, ages 8 and 10, were killed where they sat."

Seventeen other individuals, 14 of whom are children, were also injured, with two listed in critical condition.

"The coward that fired these shots ultimately took his own life in the rear of the church," O'Hara said. "This deliberate act of violence is just a sign of cruelty that is beyond comprehension."

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports: "An Annunciation parent who was sitting in the back pew at the 8:15 a.m. Mass said students were packed into the pews when a shooter opened fire outside the building with some kind of semiautomatic weapon."

"He just pepper-sprayed through the stained-glass windows into the building, 50 to 100 shots," said the parent, who did not want his name used. "He killed two kids."

"There are no words that can capture the horror and evil of this act," Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said. "Do not think of these as just somebody else's kids … Think of this as if it were your own."

"Don't just say this is about thoughts and prayers right now! These kids were literally praying. It was the first week of school. They were in a church. These are kids who should be learning with their friends."

"I'm so deeply saddened and so sorry to the families that are suffering right now."

"FBI is aware of the reports coming out of @FBIMinneapolis and our agents are en route to the scene. We will provide more updates as able," said FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino.

President Donald Trump said on Truth Social: "I have been fully briefed on the tragic shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The FBI quickly responded and they are on the scene. The White House will continue to monitor this terrible situation. Please join me in praying for everyone involved!"

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said: "DHS is monitoring the horrific shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis.

"We are in communication with our interagency partners, and will share more information as soon as it becomes available.

"I am praying for the victims of this heinous attack and their families."

U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stated: "The shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis is horrifying. Praying for the children, families and first responders during this moment of terror and unimaginable grief. Weapons of war have no place in our neighborhoods, streets or schools."

U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., indicated: "I am beyond heartbroken over the tragic news of the shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis. I am praying for all the families impacted by this horrific tragedy. I will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide updates."

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

Fox News' Jesse Watters halted former Vice President Kamala Harris' Senior Adviser Mike Nellis on Tuesday after he claimed that the National Guard would not be needed in Chicago to halt crime.

While speaking with the press on Friday, President Donald Trump said he was considering sending National Guard troops to Chicago after deploying them in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 11. With Democrats increasingly pushing back on the National Guard being sent to address crime, Watters asked Nellis on "Jesse Watters Primetime" if he believes Chicago should be open to help from the White House.

"No, look, I think Chicago needs to do a better job of dealing with crime. Our local leaders need to do a better job of dealing with crime, but the city of Chicago has had a chance to vote for Donald Trump three times, and he lost by 80% each of the three times that he was on the ballot. I think if Donald Trump wants to get involved heavily in issues somewhere else, he should go look at red states, because Donald Trump doesn't have any urgency to deal with Louisiana, which is the murder capital of the United States. He doesn't have anything to say about Oklahoma, which has the worst schools in the nation. Doesn't have anything to say about Arkansas, which has the highest teen pregnancy rate — " Nellis said before Watters jumped in.

"Those are crime ridden too! And if the mayor wants to invite Donald Trump to go in there and do it," Watters said. "Chicago's a little bigger than Baton Rouge, Mike, OK? You live in Chicago, and you should care. Did you hear my friend out there in the monologue talking about her cousin, her uncle, her niece. They're all dead, Mike! Do you care about that at all? Your mayor doesn't care. Your mayor doesn't want any backup. They're offering them more cops, more guards. And he says, 'No, more housing.' What the hell's wrong with him?"

Democrat Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Democrat Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson held a press conference Monday telling the president to not come, with Johnson touting what he said were lowered crime statistics.

Chicago Police Department data through Aug. 16 reportedly shows homicides in the city trending down 25% over the last 12 months compared to 2023. The frequency of killings remains higher than it was before the pandemic, accordingto ABC7 Chicago. Data from the outlet reports that in the last 12 months through Aug. 16, there have been 474 homicides, with an average yearly homicide rate of 722 between 2021 and 2023.

According to a White House press release, the city has had the highest "murder rate among U.S. cities with more than one million people" for seven consecutive years, with Chicago also labeled as having the "most murders of any U.S. city" for 13 consecutive years.

Nellis pushed back against Watters.

"I know I'm not going to feel safe when I take him to a ball game. I'm going to see armed military members. There's a way to do this," Nellis said. "I'm happy to support having more police on the streets of Chicago to help keep us safe. The problem is in Donald Trump's budget that he signed by the Republicans, he cut community police funding by $2 billion, which means there'll be fewer police on the streets."

Watters hit back.

"All right, Mike, you guys defunded the police. So don't talk about cutting funding, OK? Everybody knows the Democrats defunded. They defunded all over the country, Mike,' Watters said. "I don't have time to debate that. But I respect that you are from Chicago, and you want to be safe. But we are all in agreement that Chicago needs to do a lot better. You and I will agree on that."

Trump's decision to deploy the National Guard and invoke Section 40 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act followed after a slew of crimes in Washington, D.C. drew national attention. Among some were the brutal attack against a former Department of Government Efficiency staffer and the fatal June 30 shooting of Republican intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym.

Democrats and legacy media pundits have said Washington, D.C.'s crime dropped 35% in 2024, citing local police data. The statistics left out crimes such as felony and aggravated assault. In July, the Metropolitan Police Department said an investigation was opened against D.C. police Commander Michael Pulliam for allegedly altering crime statistics in his district, according to NBC Washington.

Despite the pushback from Democrats, a Harvard CAPS/Harris poll released Monday reported that 54% of registered voters said Trump's crime-fighting efforts in the nation's capital are "justified and necessary." According to U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., Jeanine Pirro on Monday, the federal takeover in the nation's capital has led to 1,007 arrests and 111 illegal firearm confiscations.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

The federal government has withdrawn the "emergency authorization" that allowed the COVID shots to be given to Americans without being fully evaluated and tested.

The Food and Drug Administration said it had approved COVID "boosters," but canceled the emergency use authorizations.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the secretary of Health and Human Services, confirmed the moves on social media.

He explained he promised to "1. to end covid vaccine mandates. 2. to keep vaccines available to people who want them, especially the vulnerable. 3. to demand placebo-controlled trials from companies. 4. to end the emergency."

He said that now has been accomplished.

"The emergency use authorizations for COVID vaccines, once used to justify broad mandates on the general public during the Biden administration, are now rescinded. FDA has now issued marketing authorization for those at higher risk: Moderna (6+ months), Pfizer (5+), and Novavax (12+). These vaccines are available for all patients who choose them after consulting with their doctors. The American people demanded science, safety, and common sense. This framework delivers all three."

Federal officials, however, including FDA Commissioner Marty Makary and a top vaccine regulator, Vinay Prasad, have suggested the risks of COVID vaccines outweigh the benefits for healthy children and noted that uptake of the shots, both for children and adults, has been low in recent years.

In fact, there have been a long list of side effects linked to COVID shots, including heart ailments, especially in young men. Some of the side effects have proven to be fatal.

Kennedy already has decided months ago to stop recommending the shots for healthy children and pregnant women.

The FDA explained its "Emergency Use Authorization," used get the COVID shots on the market, allowed the "use of unapproved medical products, or unapproved uses of approved medical products in an emergency to diagnose, treat, or prevent serious or life-threatening diseases or conditions when certain statutory criteria have been met, including that there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives."

In fact, however, previously available medications such as hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin were documented to provide benefits against COVID. The medical deep state, however, constantly belittled them.

According to the Gateway Pundit, "In July, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Trump administration formally updated the safety labeling on all mRNA COVID-19 vaccines to reflect what many Americans have been warning about for years: a disturbingly high risk of myocarditis—particularly in young men—and the possibility of long-term, irreversible heart damage. The revised warnings apply to both Pfizer's Comirnaty and Moderna's Spikevax vaccines and follow months of mounting pressure over transparency and accountability regarding the true risks of these experimental injections."

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

A Wisconsin judge's claim to have absolute immunity again charges she helped an illegal alien criminal escape from ICE agents waiting outside her courtroom to arrest him has failed.

U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman has adopted a recommendation from U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy Joseph that Hannah Dugan's motion to dismiss the criminal case against her because of "immunity" should be denied, according to a report in the Washington Examiner.

The decision means the prosecution will continue, opening the door for a possible plea bargain, or ultimately a trial and if there's a conviction, a sentencing.

"There is no basis for granting immunity simply because some of the allegations in the indictment describe conduct that could be considered 'part of a judge's job.' As the magistrate judge noted, the same is true in the bribery prosecutions, concededly valid, where the judges were prosecuted for performing official acts intertwined with bribery," the judge said.

"Even if a more limited version of judicial immunity exists, it does not support dismissal of the instant indictment."

Dugan had claimed that her "judicial immunity" prevented the Department of Justice from even investigating her.

Adelman also set a hearing for Sept. 3 to address scheduling for the case.

Dugan was on video instructing ICE agents to go elsewhere, then she allowed Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, an illegal alien before her court on charges of attacking other people, out a private back door of her courtroom, leading to a nonpublic area of the courthouse.

Dugan, a Milwaukee County circuit judge, now faces obstruction charges.

Joseph had concluded, "A judge's actions, even when done in her official capacity, do not bar criminal prosecution if the actions were done in violation of the criminal law."

The charges carry a maximum prison term of six years and a fine of $350,000 if there's a conviction.

Constitutional expert Jonathan Turley pointed out that Dugan has a "lack of a credible defense."

"Indeed, despite having high-powered lawyers such as Paul Clement, her recent social media posts seem more like a pitch for jury nullification."

He noted the criminal complaint explains "a six-person arrest team (including an ICE officer, a Customs and Border Protection officer, two FBI special agents, and two DEA agents) came to the courthouse to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican immigrant facing three misdemeanor battery counts they intended to deport. He is accused of hitting someone 30 times during a fight that erupted over complaints that his music was too loud and assaulting three separate individuals, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported."

Flores-Ruiz had been deported previously and came back illegally again, a felony, so he was issued an order for expedited removal, which means he could be deported with no further court hearings.

Dugan facilitated his escape, then was arrested and charged with obstruction.

"Recently, Dugan went public with an interview that notably lacked any discernible defense, other than stating that she helps defendants use the 'backdoor' when she considers circumstances that 'warrant it,'" the report said.

Turley explained, "The lack of any cognizable claim in Dugan's public pitch suggests that she might be hoping for a juror to simply vote to acquit as a visceral or political statement. This is a liberal jury pool where jury nullification must be a concern for prosecutors even though such an argument cannot be made overtly by the defense to the jurors."

It was reported only a day earlier that Dugan had been given nearly $50,000 from taxpayers in paychecks during the time she's been suspended from her duties.

"Meanwhile, Dugan has established a legal defense fund to pay for a high-powered team of lawyers that includes former Solicitor General Paul Clement and former federal prosecutor Steve Biskupic. In its first three weeks, the fund had raised nearly $140,000, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Dugan doesn't have to report on who gave what until next year, the news outlet reported," according to a report by Federalist.

The charges against Dugan confirm she was "visibly angry" after being informed that ICE agents were waiting to apprehend the suspect.

"After sending the law enforcement officials to the chief judge's office, Dugan escorted Flores-Ruiz and his legal counsel out of the courtroom through the 'jury door,' which leads to a non-public area of the courthouse," the Federalist said, citing the charges.

In an interview later, she admitted she had the suspect leave "out the back door."

WND has reported a grand jury accused Dugan of knowingly concealing a person for whose arrest a warrant and process had been issued, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1071. She is charged in Count Two with obstruction of the United States Department of Homeland Security's removal proceedings, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1505.

The records show, "Dugan knowingly concealed E.F.R., a person for whose arrest a warrant and process had been issued under the provisions of the law of the United States, so as to prevent the discovery and arrest of E.F.R., after notice and knowledge of the fact that a warrant and process had been issued for the apprehension of E.F.R., in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1071; Count Two On or about April 18, 2025, Dugan did corruptly endeavor to influence, obstruct, and impede the due and proper administration of the law under which a pending proceeding was being had before a department and agency of the United States, namely the administrative arrest of E.F.R. for purposes of removal proceedings conducted by the United States Department of Homeland Security, by committing affirmative acts to assist E.F.R. to evade arrest, including: a) confronting members of a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Task Force and falsely telling them they needed a judicial warrant to effectuate the arrest of E.F.R.; b) upon learning that they had an administrative warrant for E.F.R.'s arrest, directing all identified members of the ICE Task Force to leave…"

WND reported when a video showed Dugan's actions, sending two federal agents waiting to take an illegal into custody packing.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

The gunman in a horrific shooting at a Catholic church and school in Minneapolis, Minnesota, killing at least two children and injuring 17 others has been identified as a transgender individual Robin Westman, formerly known as Robert Westman.

Westman opened fire through the stained glass windows of Annunciation Catholic Church during a back-to-school Mass filled with children 8:30 a.m. Wednesday. The assailant died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the back of the church.

KARE-TV reporter A.J. Lagoe reports Westman's mother "is believed to have worked at the church or school."

Westman underwent a legal name change in 2020, with his parents apparently signing off on the identity switch.

A series of videos linked to Westman have been posted online, including the individual holding weapons and ammunition marked with disturbing messages including: "Kill Donald Trump," "For the children," and "Where is your God?"

The manifesto posted online attributed to Westman voice an apparent final message for friends and family.

"I don't expect forgiveness and I don't expect any apology. I have to hold much weight, but to my family and those close to me, I do apologize for the effects my actions will have on your lives," the note begins.

"Please know I care for all of you so much and it pains me to bring this storm of chaos into your lives. This will affect so many more people than the ones that are immediately involved."

"I have wanted this for so long. I am not well. I am not right. I am a sad person haunted by these thoughts that do not go away. I know this is wrong but I can't seem to stop myself.

"I am severely depressed and have been suicidal for years. Only recently have I lost all hope and decided to perform my final action against this world. I don't want to kneel down for the injustices of this world. I want to die. I'd rather die on my feet than live on my knees, constantly in pain."

"I think I am dying of cancer. It's a tragic end, as it's entirely self-inflicted. I did this to myself as I cannot control myself and have been destroying my body through vaping and other means.

"I think I have lung cancer. I have felt many pains that make me think I am past the point of recovery. I do not want to recover. I do not want to throw my life away by rotting in a hospital bed. I don't want the rest of my life to be as a cancer patient, in and out of hospitals, constantly being fretted about with people afraid to be too happy around me. F*** that!

"I want to go out on my own means. Unfortunately, due to my depression, anger and twisted mind, I want to fulfill in a final act that has been in the back of my head for years."

Two years ago, as WorldNetDaily reported, another high-profile transgender shooting at a Christian school in Tennessee made national headlines.

On March 27, 2023, shooter Audrey Hale, a woman identifying as a man, entered The Covenant School in Nashville and killed three nine-year-old students and three adults: an administrator, substitute teacher, and a custodian.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

The administration of President Donald Trump has pulled the plug on a program set up by Joe Biden's administration in Washington, that established a series of discriminatory standards for farm assistance programs, including schemes to give preferential treatment based on a farmer's race and gender.

The move makes it literally inevitable that the race- and sex-based discrimination will be struck down.

It is the Washington Examiner that confirmed the U.S. Department of Agriculture, under Trump, has notified a court it is abandoning its defense, launched under Biden's leadership, of programming that discriminates based on race and gender for loans, commodities and more.

Those elements are the foundation of many of the "diversity, equity, inclusion" programs pushed under the Biden White House.

The publication said it obtained a copy of a court filing in a case brought by the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty.

That organization brought a case on behalf of Wisconsin dairy farmer Adam Faust, and the organization said Faust is one of millions of white male farmers still being subjected to the "prejudicial practices" established under the Biden administration.

Faust had challenged a number of provisions, including a loan guarantee program that insures farm loans against possible financial loss.

"Women and racial minorities can receive a higher guarantee, as much as 95% of the outstanding principal, while white males may only get a guarantee of 90% of a loan's value," the report said.

Then there's the Dairy Margin Coverage Program, which pays producers "when the margin between the price of milk and the average cost of feed falls below a certain coverage level," the report said.

Enrollees are required by the USDA to pay an annual $100 administrative fee, unless they are "socially disadvantage" in which case they are exempt.

Finally, the report said, "The Environmental Quality Incentives Program awards up to 90% of conservation project costs associated with planning, design, materials, equipment, installation, labor, management, maintenance, and training to 'socially disadvantaged farmers.' White male participants, meanwhile, are only entitled to 75% of costs reimbursed."

The USDA, in fact, has been working to change the programs, as it concluded using "socially disadvantaged" as a standard is "inconsistent" with the Constitution.

It announced it no longer would use those markers for its loan guarantee program and was working on changes to the other two.

The Examiner explained the changes fall "in line with President Donald Trump's plans to root out any remaining diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives embedded at the federal level."

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

Elizabeth Farah sits down with U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt for a no-holds-barred conversation on his book, "The Last Line of Defense: How to Beat the Left in Court."

Schmitt walks viewers through the battles that defined his years as Missouri's attorney general, exposing Biden's censorship regime, recalling Fauci's deposition, and detailing Supreme Court wins that crushed vaccine mandates and blocked student-loan giveaways.

Elizabeth presses him on the border invasion, Title 42, Remain in Mexico, and why mass deportations must happen. Schmitt calls out omnibus scams in Congress, Chevron deference, and the globalist elites who shuttered 90,000 factories and sent millions of American jobs overseas.

Together they lay out the stakes: restore the rule of law, dismantle the administrative state, and fight for America's survival with courage and clarity. This interview is urgent, unapologetic, and armed with a playbook for how to win.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

MSNBC's Joe Scarborough continuously pressed Democratic Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson on Tuesday as he attempted to dodge a question about policing making communities safer.

While advocating for social programs to bring down crime, Johnson did not want to answer Scarborough's question on whether he would support more federal funding for adding 5,000 additional officers on the streets of Chicago. The mayor's discussion about crime came as President Donald Trump has floated the idea of a federal crackdown in Johnson's city to combat violent crime.

"I'm curious, would you also like to get federal funding to help put 5,000 more cops on the street in Chicago, would that help drive down crime?" Scarborough asked.

When Johnson said policing itself is not the "full strategy," Scarborough said, "No, I understand that. You've talked about the other things you want, and I said those are good and important programs, but I'm asking also, would 5,000 more police officers on the street in Chicago be helpful to go along with all of those social programs that a lot of cities are engaging in and having success with?"

While Scarborough continued to press the mayor, Johnson said Chicago would be safer with more federal funding going toward "affordable housing" and other mental health services.

"I believe that the city of Chicago and cities across America would be safer if we actually had affordable housing," Johnson said.

"Okay, but that's not the question I asked," Scarborough immediately interrupted. "My question is, and I just need a yes or a no. Do you believe the streets of Chicago would be safer, if you got all of those extraordinary programs put back into place, which do have a history of being successful, if that's complimented by having 5,000 more cops on the streets of Chicago?"

The Chicago mayor accused Scarborough of narrowing the crime problem down to policing, and said that "putting out an arbitrary number" of officers would not solve the problem.

"What I'm saying is policing and affordable housing, is policing and mental and behavior healthcare services, is policing and youth employment. It's a full package," Johnson continued.

Chicago experienced a significant surge in homicides in the past decade and reached a 25-year high in 2021 with 797 victims, The Chicago Tribune reported.

There have been 262 homicides in Chicago as of Aug. 26, which is 117 fewer incidents in comparison to 2024, according to the Chicago Tribune. Total violent crime reportedly decreased by 22% in the first half of 2025 in comparison to the previous year.

Trump said on Friday that he will "probably" crackdown on crime in Chicago by deploying the National Guard once he is finished focusing on Washington, D.C. Since Aug. 7, a total of 1,007 arrests and 111 illegal firearm gun confiscations have taken place in the nation's capital as of Monday since the administration's federal takeover, U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., Jeanine Pirro said.

ohnson and Democrat Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Trump would be violating the U.S. Constitution if he deploys the National Guard to Chicago. Johnson accused Trump on Aug. 11 of spreading misinformation about the crime statistics in Chicago and that the National Guard's presence would only "undermine" public safety.