President Donald Trump announced today that federal reinforcements and resources will be sent to cities across the United States to help local and state police turn the tide against the “shocking increase” of violence, heinous acts, and homicides which, as he said last week, have turned many U.S. cities into “war zones” like Afghanistan. Chicago, a real horror story, and Albuquerque, New Mexico are getting help immediately, he announced. Local police are the front lines against such violence, and will be supported against radicals who want to defund and demonize them. Attorney General William Barr, Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf, and FBI Director Christopher Wray were present for the announcement of “Operation LeGend,” named after a 4-year-old killed by gunfire, along with the U.S. Attorneys for those three cities, local and state law enforcement officials, and relatives of victims of that violence who came to support the program.
President Trump promised that similar federal action will be taken in other U.S. cities in similar situations. My first duty as President is to protect the American people; “The bloodshed must end, and will end,” he stated from the outset. Citizens of Chicago are Americans, too, and have a right like anyone else to walk safely in peace on their streets. Reluctantly, the Democratic Mayor and Governor of Illinois, after weeks of refusing federal help, finally accepted the assistance, after discussions with federal officials on the program before its announcement today.
