Stephen A. Smith Goes Off On JB Pritzker’s Unwillingness to Help Chicago Citizens [WATCH]

Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith delivered a pointed critique on national television, addressing the ongoing violence in Chicago and the repeated failures of political leaders to address it.

Smith emphasized that the city’s problems have spanned multiple administrations, including those of former President Barack Obama, and continue without resolution.

Stephen A. Smith said, “Let me talk to America right now in saying this, okay, the lone black man on this segment is me. I don’t need any of Bill O’Reilly statistics that he just viewed to know that he’s right in terms of what has been transpiring throughout in the streets of Chicago. It has been going on for years. It was going on before Obama was in office. It was going on when he was in office. It’s been going on since he’s been in office. I recall seeing a black couple on national television asking for military assistance. That’s how bad it has been in Chicago, and one administration after another has either been incapable or unwilling to do anything about it.”

Smith did not hold back in criticizing the failure of local leadership.

“It is shameful, and black folks in that city have been getting killed for years, and I’m disgusted at the level of ineffectiveness or unwillingness that they’ve that. They’ve executed and getting better things done and making it better for the law abiding citizens in Chicago,” he said.

Turning to President Trump’s approach, Smith acknowledged the controversy over federal intervention in cities but said Trump’s intent had to be considered.

“Having said that, we got to pay attention to what Trump, we got to pay attention. Hold on bill, we got to pay attention to this. When he went into LA, that was a bit excessive. You got a bunch of people in LA. They were talking about stuff was going on in the two block radius. It could have been handled by the local PD,” Smith explained.

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He continued by pointing out the unique position of Washington, D.C.

“In Washington, DC, that is not a state. You understand, he has the right. It’s run by the federal government. He has a right if he wants to send a National Guard, even though the National Guard isn’t trained for that. And when you send in the Marines and army, they’re trained to kill, they’re not trained to police, so you gotta send in the right people. I get that part, but I understand his intent when you’re talking about what’s transpired in Washington, DC,” Smith said.

Smith then focused on Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker’s resistance to federal assistance, particularly for Chicago.

“Chicago may very well be unlawful, but with Pritzker, you’re absolutely right. Yo, what are you going to do about it? To go to this one thing to say, Trump, don’t send in the National Guard. It’s another thing for the President to come out of his mouth. I’m here to help if they ask for it. And then for you to say no and then try to implement laws in place that would prohibit him from sending help. Wait a minute when that happens. Now, you can’t point the finger at Bill O’Reilly. You can’t point the finger at Chris Cuomo. You can’t point the finger at people that are and just say, Oh, it’s really not politics. Who the hell are they? It’s all about politics. If you’re a governor and you’re going to take that position, so I have no problem with you at all. Bill calling out the governor of Illinois,” Smith declared.

🚨NEW: Stephen A. Smith *GOES OFF* on politicians for FAILING to crack down on rampant crime in Chicago🚨

“I recall seeing a black couple on national television asking for military assistance — that’s how bad it has been in Chicago!”

“And one administration after another has… pic.twitter.com/r5CMPjhIrw

— Jason Cohen 🇺🇸 (@JasonJournoDC) September 4, 2025

His remarks highlight the frustrations of many residents and observers who see Chicago’s persistent violence as a failure of leadership.

Smith’s comments also highlighted the political tensions surrounding federal intervention in local law enforcement, as governors push back against President Trump’s offers of assistance even amid ongoing crises.