Ex-Obama Advisor Admits Chicagoans ‘Don’t Feel’ Safe’ — But ‘Don’t Trust’ Trump’s Crime Crackdown

Michael Hardaway, a former Democratic advisor to President Barack Obama and the ex-communications director for Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), admitted many Chicago residents “don’t feel safe” in the city — but, at the same time, do not “trust” President Donald Trump’s plan to deploy the National Guard to combat crime.

Hardaway shared his two cents on the matter while appearing on MSNBC’s Alex Witt Reports on Saturday afternoon.

“It’s a very interesting conversation. Because I think, generally speaking, though violent crime is down 22% in Chicago and the majority of people who live there don’t want federal troops being shipped into there with no clear plan on what’s going to happen — It’s also true that some of them don’t feel safe,” Hardaway said.

He added it is important to look at the issue through the proper “lens,” which he said includes the president “gutting” funding for the FBI, Justice Department, and “everyone that keeps us safe.” Hardaway also said that if Trump were serious about cracking down on crime in Chicago and other major cities, he would not send in the National Guard, but instead would follow in the footsteps of President Bill Clinton, who had a plan in the ’90s to hire 100,000 new police officers nationwide. 

“The real question is, what is Donald Trump’s reasoning for doing this? I don’t think people in Chicago trust his motives here,” Hardaway told MSNBC.

His comments come a few days after President Trump said he plans on “going in” to Chicago to thwart lawlessness. The president said he feels a moral “obligation” to do so, after watching news reports of 58 people being shot in The Windy City over Labor Day Weekend — surging 87% compared to the same time last year.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) have made it clear they do not support the president deploying the National Guard like he did in Washington, D.C., and Johnson recently signed an executive order telling Chicago police not to “collaborate” with federal officials on joint patrols, arrest operations, and immigration law enforcement.

Watch above via MSNBC.