‘The Shootings Will Continue’ [WATCH]

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson used a Labor Day rally to challenge federal intervention in his city, telling a crowd to prepare to “defend this land” if President Donald Trump continues his public safety initiatives.

Speaking Monday at a Workers Over Billionaires rally, Johnson declared that Chicago would resist the deployment of federal forces.

“No federal troops in the city of Chicago, no militarized force in the city of Chicago. We’re going to protect the humanity of every single person in the city of Chicago,” Johnson said.

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He continued by invoking themes of labor and historical struggle. “Are you prepared to defend this land, this land that was built by slaves, a land that was built by indigenous people, a land that is built by workers. Are you prepared to defend this land? The people united will always prevail.”

Johnson also warned that he expects pushback from the Trump administration.

“I need you all to stand firm, to stand strong if this president decides to continue to break this constitution. It’s gonna be the labor movement that stitches it back together, the labor movement that brings white folks, black folks, Asians, it brings brown folks together,” he said.

Over 50 people were shot this past weekend in Chicago and Mayor Brandon Johnson took to protest against Trump sending in federal resources:

“Are you prepared to defend this land that was built by slaves — a land that was built by indigenous people”

Send them in right now. pic.twitter.com/i1ZvIH9qBv

— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) September 2, 2025

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“This is the city that said keep hope alive, the city that birthed yes we can, and the city that will defend this country,” Johnson added.

The speech followed an executive order Johnson signed days earlier. That order stated the Chicago Police Department “will remain a locally controlled law enforcement agency” and barred cooperation with federal officials on immigration enforcement or patrols.

Johnson also used the order to urge Trump to “stand down” from deploying the National Guard to Chicago as he did in Washington, D.C.

The Labor Day remarks came after another weekend of violence in the city. Fifty-four people were shot and seven were killed during the holiday weekend, according to police reports.

In response, Trump wrote on social media: “Chicago is the worst and most dangerous city in the World, by far. Pritzker needs help badly, he just doesn’t know it yet. I will solve the crime problem fast, just like I did in DC. Chicago will be safe again, and soon.”

Johnson’s comments drew sharp criticism from national commentators.

Matt Walsh, a conservative media host, posted online: “1) This is treason. Brandon Johnson should be arrested, charged, convicted, and then given the requisite punishment for a capital offense. 2) Chicago was not in any sense built by ‘slaves and indigenous people.’”

1) This is treason. Brandon Johnson should be arrested, charged, convicted, and then given the requisite punishment for a capital offense.

2) Chicago was not in any sense built by “slaves and indigenous people.” https://t.co/Y2DeTtAMe5

— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) September 2, 2025

Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk also responded, writing: “Is the wildly unpopular Mayor of Chicago Brandon Johnson calling for an insurrection against the federal government? This is quite literally how you get the National Guard to show up in your city, Mr. Mayor. This communist clown should be prosecuted for inciting violence.”

Is the wildly unpopular Mayor of Chicago Brandon Johnson calling for an insurrection against the federal government?

This is quite literally how you get the National Guard to show up in your city, Mr. Mayor. This communist clown should be prosecuted for inciting violence. https://t.co/x8NUMqMNiO

— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) September 2, 2025

The clash between the Trump administration and Chicago officials adds to tensions already seen in other cities where federal resources have been deployed to combat violent crime.

While Trump has said his approach in Washington, D.C., shows federal intervention can quickly stabilize cities, Johnson has pledged to keep Chicago law enforcement independent from federal or military oversight.

.@ChicagosMayor says that “shootings will continue” in Chicago unless President Trump adheres to his deranged, radical agenda.

SICK! pic.twitter.com/n7gyhWbnHD

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) September 2, 2025

The ongoing dispute highlights a widening divide between federal and local officials over how best to address persistent violence in major U.S. cities.

With both sides entrenched, the situation in Chicago is likely to remain at the center of the national debate over law enforcement and federal authority.

These democrats are more focused on fighting Trump than fighting the crime in their own streets.

“Shootings will continue as long as this Presidential Administration continues to put politics over people”…

Brandon Johnson is projecting what HE is doing on to the Trump… pic.twitter.com/BSkVbQncmY

— Jeffery Mead (@the_jefferymead) September 3, 2025