Chicago Mayor CAUGHT Lying—Crime Numbers Exposed

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson recently claimed credit for a homicide reduction in his city, but the numbers tell a far different story than the one circulating in misleading headlines, with no evidence linking any crime drop to President Trump’s intervention despite viral social media claims.

Story Snapshot

Mayor Johnson touted a 14% homicide reduction in 2024, not the widely circulated 30% figure attributed to Trump intervention
Johnson and Illinois Governor Pritzker explicitly denied Trump any credit for Chicago’s crime statistics, attributing progress solely to local initiatives
The claim of Johnson “admitting” to Trump-driven crime reduction appears fabricated, with no credible sources confirming such statements
Chicago’s homicide count dropped from 617 in 2023 to approximately 532-573 in 2024, driven by city programs like youth employment and policing task forces

False Claims Contradict Official Record

Social media posts claiming Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson admitted to a 30% homicide reduction specifically tied to Trump intervention have no basis in fact. Multiple credible news sources confirm Johnson announced a 14% decrease in homicides for 2024, dropping from 617 deaths in 2023 to between 532 and 573 in 2024. In his December 2024 City Club of Chicago speech, Johnson explicitly credited local initiatives including youth employment programs, community investment, and police task forces, making no mention whatsoever of federal intervention or Trump administration policies.

The discrepancy between the viral claim and documented facts raises serious concerns about misinformation spreading among conservative circles. Johnson’s administration has consistently emphasized what he calls a “people’s budget” approach, focusing on progressive policies like summer jobs programs in high-crime neighborhoods rather than traditional law enforcement strategies. This approach contradicts the narrative that any Republican intervention drove the improvements, making the viral claims not just inaccurate but logically inconsistent with Johnson’s documented policy positions.

Democrats Actively Reject Trump Credit

Far from admitting Trump deserves recognition, both Mayor Johnson and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker explicitly denied the President any credit for Chicago’s crime statistics in November 2025. Their statements came as homicides showed only a 7.7% year-to-date reduction, significantly less than the previous year’s progress. Johnson and Pritzker attributed whatever gains existed entirely to local law enforcement efforts and city programs, deliberately pushing back against any suggestion of federal involvement. This direct rejection contradicts the entire premise that Johnson acknowledged Trump’s role.

Chicago’s Crime Reality Remains Troubling

While any reduction in violent crime deserves acknowledgment, Chicago’s situation remains deeply concerning for residents who value safety and accountability. The University of Chicago Crime Lab found Black residents face homicide risks 20 times higher than other demographics, describing the city as a “tale of two cities” where progressive policies have failed the communities most in need of protection. Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling credited specific initiatives like carjacking task forces formed in May 2024 and enhanced DNC security measures, but disparities persist across neighborhoods.

Johnson’s goal of reducing homicides below 500 in 2025 would mark the first time in a decade the city achieved that threshold, revealing how far Chicago has fallen under Democratic leadership. The post-2020 surge saw homicides peak near 800 in 2021, a crisis linked to defund-the-police movements and soft-on-crime policies championed by progressives. While 2024’s numbers show improvement, they remain unacceptably high for a major American city, and Johnson’s resistance to “outside narratives” suggests an unwillingness to acknowledge the failures that created this emergency.

The spread of false claims about Trump receiving credit from Johnson does conservatives no favors. Our movement gains strength from truth and accountability, not fabricated victories that collapse under basic fact-checking. Chicago’s crime problem stems from years of progressive mismanagement prioritizing ideology over public safety. Real solutions require honest assessment of what works—increased policing, prosecutorial accountability, and rejection of sanctuary city policies that protect criminal illegal immigrants. Johnson’s modest gains came from begrudging adoption of some law enforcement measures his progressive base opposes, not from any Trump intervention he refuses to acknowledge.