Farah Griffin: Trump, GOP know Chicago crime is ‘smart fight’ to pick with Democrats

Former White House aide Alyssa Farah Griffin on Tuesday said President Trump’s decision to target Chicago with federal intervention amidst his crack down on crime is a “smart” move.

“Chicago has a crime problem, there‘s no doubt. And Donald Trump knows that this is a smart fight for him to pick, not just with his base, but with the country,” Farah Griffin said during a Tuesday appearance on CNN’s “AC360.”

Over the weekend, 27 people were shot in the Windy City and sever people will killed. Farah Griffin said this warrants a response from leaders including both Trump and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D).

“What Pritzker seems to be getting right that I don‘t think in some of the other instances we‘ve seen early on is acknowledge that there is a problem. It‘s not right or left to say we need less crime, we need fewer people to be shot in American cities,” she told host Anderson Cooper. 

“But then have the debate over how to do it. National Guard has never been the first step that we should go to. You could coordinate with federal law enforcement, work with the ATF, with the FBI,” she continued.

“But again, this should be happening with the White House and with the governor of the state.”

Farah Griffin added that for now there seems to be “very little communication” between state officials and the White House as the Trump administration plans to intercede in Chicago.

Despite the president’s repeated statements alleging Chicago would be the next city to experience a federal takeover following Washington and Los Angeles, Pritzker has issued a strong rebuke to the idea of allowing soldiers on the ground in the Prairie State.

“Mr. President, do not come to Chicago. You are neither wanted here nor needed here,” Pritzker said during a late August press conference.