Donald Trump’s schedule has become a lot leaner in recent days. Meanwhile, he’s doubling down on his attacks on climate and energy policy, and promoting a tough-on-urban-crime agenda. Notably, he labeled Chicago a “hell hole” and targeted its mayor, Brandon Johnson, suggesting he should be incarcerated for failing to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. In a parallel political landscape, the government shutdown has stretched into its second week, with Congressional Democrats introducing a bill aimed at assisting federal workers with childcare expenses during this tumultuous period.
Trump’s public pronouncements are a window into a blunderbuss campaign against crime in major metropolitan areas, particularly aimed at Chicago. His rhetoric belies any such impression—and rightly so, because he thinks that the current administration’s policies have failed. He’s trying to paint himself as the biggest supporter of law enforcement. In a colorful speech, he uniquely and loudly charged at incumbent Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. He proposed that the governor should go to prison as well for his lack of leadership.
Political rivalries in the wake of the government shutdown have heightened. Democrats and Republicans both appear to have completely dug in their heels, pointing the fingers at each other for the current impasse. If reports are to be believed, millions of these federal workers are paying the price for this chaos.
“When you talk to federal workers right now, a lot of them are exhausted. They’re proud of what they do, but they’re tired of being treated like their lives are expendable.” – Ilhan Omar
National Guard troops have been deployed to Chicago during the disorder. In the meantime, reinforcements are preparing to deploy to Memphis before the end of the week. This increased military presence is indicative of rising fears about how to police large cities today, particularly blacker, poorer, more dangerous spaces.
The continuing legal woes of former FBI Director James Comey complicate the picture further on the political side. Comey entered a plea of ‘not guilty’ to all counts of lying to Congress and the Government’s case against him goes to trial on January 5, 2026. This case, if nothing else, serves as a reminder of the highly charged political climate that has characterized the past several years.
With each day of the shutdown, Congressional Democrats have tried to relieve the burdens that have been placed on the direct and indirect federal employee. This new proposed bill would offer financial support for childcare while the federal government is closed.
“As a working parent, I know the importance of having reliable childcare. This bill is a small but necessary way to show that their work and their families matter.” – Ilhan Omar
As House Republican Whip Steve Scalise highlighted, the need to break the budget standoff can’t be overstated. Now more than ever, he called, we need to reject the tide of irrationality and chaos.
“This madness can end. This madness needs to end with sanity finally emerging.” – Steve Scalise
He went on to call out Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for not taking enough bold action himself. American families are suffering from the shutdown, and Schumer failed to do so.
“Chuck Schumer, if you can’t do the right thing because you’re so afraid of your political job, think about the jobs of millions of families out there who don’t want to have that suffering inflicted on them.” – Steve Scalise
As we have explained before, former public health officials are sounding the alarm on public health risks. They should be worried—that’s exactly the agenda of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Last week, they made a joint announcement about a dire situation. They argued that Kennedy’s policies now present an unparalleled danger to Americans’ health.
“Never before have we issued a joint public warning like this. But the profound, immediate and unprecedented threat that Kennedy’s policies and positions pose to the nation’s health cannot be ignored.” – Former officials in the Washington Post
As these issues unfold, Trump’s limited public schedule has not diminished his vocal opposition to current policies and his focus on crime in urban settings. His assertions regarding Chicago resonate with certain segments of the electorate who share concerns about safety and governance.