Chicago Bloodshed So Bad, MSNBC is Now Calling on Democrats to Partner with Trump [WATCH]

MSNBC host Joe Scarborough criticized Chicago Democrats on Tuesday, urging them to work with President Donald Trump in response to a violent Labor Day weekend that left at least 54 people shot and eight dead in the city.

Speaking on “Morning Joe,” Scarborough directly addressed Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, suggesting that the governor should take an unusual step to address the ongoing violence.

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

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His remarks followed a weekend of deadly shootings in Chicago, highlighting a trend of persistent violence that has plagued the city.

The Labor Day holiday period added to mounting pressure on local leaders to take stronger action to stem the bloodshed.

Scarborough’s comments marked a shift in his position. Just last week, he argued that Trump should not deploy the National Guard to Chicago, but Tuesday’s broadcast showed a different approach after the violence of the weekend.

The “Morning Joe” host also criticized Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who has opposed increasing the city’s police presence and has rejected federal support offers from the White House.

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Johnson, a self-described progressive, has faced scrutiny over his handling of crime since taking office.

Scarborough pointed to what he viewed as an opportunity for cooperation between federal and state leaders, calling for a joint approach to reduce shootings in Chicago.

He said the urgency of the situation required Democrats in Illinois to reassess their approach to law enforcement partnerships with the federal government.

The weekend’s violence added to a long record of gun crime in Chicago that continues to attract national attention.

Data from local law enforcement shows repeated spikes in shootings during holiday weekends, with Labor Day joining other periods of heightened incidents.

While Scarborough underscored constitutional limits on presidential authority to send the National Guard into Illinois without state approval, he argued that Gov. Pritzker should initiate direct collaboration with the President.

His comments framed such a partnership as “radical,” but necessary given the scale of the crisis.

🚨 BREAKING: Democrats have now lost MORNING JOE on crime, who is fuming about Chicago’s weekend of SH00TINGS. It’s over. pic.twitter.com/9jw8wYz8DX

SCARBOROUGH: JB Pritzker should do something radical! He should pick up the phone and call the president — because the ‘nothing to…

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) September 2, 2025

Scarborough’s statements also reflected broader debates over crime policy in major cities, particularly in Democrat-led urban areas where violence has intensified in recent years.

Chicago remains one of the most visible examples of this challenge, drawing commentary from both local leaders and national figures.

At present, Gov. Pritzker has not indicated any plans to seek direct federal assistance from the Trump administration to address Chicago’s crime rates.

Mayor Johnson has maintained his opposition to expanding law enforcement measures or accepting federal deployments.

Scarborough’s remarks add to growing national pressure on Chicago officials to respond to ongoing violence and consider broader strategies.

His call for cooperation with President Trump, despite constitutional limitations, marked a notable change in tone from earlier positions expressed on his program.

The aftermath of the Labor Day shootings continues to place Chicago’s leadership under scrutiny, while the debate over how to effectively reduce violence in the city remains unsettled.