As Labor Day weekend came to a close, three major stories broke from the White House and beyond — a bold proposal to tackle mental illness, a high profile medal recipient, and a brewing showdown over violent crime in Chicago. Here’s what you need to know heading into Tuesday.
Trump Suggests Reopening Asylums Amid Crime Crackdown
In a striking Oval Office interview, President Donald Trump floated the idea of reopening “insane asylums” as part of his broader effort to crack down on crime, particularly in Washington, DC.
Speaking to The Daily Caller, Trump argued that states like New York and California made a grave mistake decades ago by closing psychiatric institutions and “releasing them into society.” He reminisced about facilities like Creedmoor and Bellevue, saying, “You can’t have these people walking around.”
The president’s comments came as he touted what he’s calling a “crime-free zone” in the nation’s capital. Following the deployment of the National Guard and federal control over DC’s police force, Trump cited major reductions in violent crime, including an 87% drop in carjackings. Even DC Mayor Muriel Bowser credited the surge in officers, saying it has made neighborhoods “feel safer.”
Giuliani to Receive Medal of Freedom After Highway Crash
In another headline-grabber, President Trump announced Monday that Rudy Giuliani — former NYC mayor and his longtime political ally — will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the U.S.
The announcement came just a day after Giuliani was hospitalized following a car accident in New Hampshire. According to his security team, Giuliani had stopped to help a domestic violence victim when his vehicle was struck at high speed. He suffered multiple injuries, including a fractured vertebrae, but is reportedly “recovering tremendously.”
Calling Giuliani “the greatest Mayor in the history of New York City,” Trump praised his leadership post-9/11 and loyalty throughout his presidency. The decision contrasted with the President Biden’s past recipients — including Hillary Clinton, Megan Rapinoe, and George Soros — which some conservatives called “political trolling.” Trump’s ceremony details are still pending.
Chicago Sees 54 Shot Over Weekend as Mayor Defies Trump’s Federal Plan
While DC sees a drop in crime, Chicago faced another violent holiday weekend, with at least 54 people shot and 7 killed, according to local reports. Most incidents had no arrests.
This came after President Trump floated sending in federal forces, possibly including the National Guard — triggering immediate pushback.
Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order Saturday blocking Chicago police from cooperating with federal agents, stating, “We will protect our Constitution, our city, and our people.” He slammed Trump’s plan as “unconstitutional and authoritarian,” adding, “We do not want to see tanks in our streets.”
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker joined Johnson in his vowed resistance, while the White House responded by slamming the Democratic leaders for turning public safety into a “partisan stunt.”
Chicago has recorded over 270 homicides this year, with gun violence continuing to plague the city’s South and West Sides.
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