President Trump took new aim today at Illinois and other states with so-called bail reform laws ... as he weighs sending federal law enforcement resources into Chicago.
The President signed an executive order that the White House says is designed to suspend or withhold federal aid to communities that have approved what he calls cashless bail.
"What area does it cover?" the President asked ... and when told Illinois was a great example, he responded sarcastically "oh, they have a great cashless bail," adding "you don't even have to go to court sometimes."
He's referring to provisions of what's known as the Safe-T Act, which went into effect nearly two years ago, and eliminates bail for most non-violent offenses. Under the Safe-T Act, suspects can still be detained without bail if specifically requested by prosecutors and approved by a judge.
The President continued, noting he owns property in the state, including the Trump International Hotel and Tower, 401 N. Wabash.
"I love that state ... it's a great state ... but it's run so badly by (Governor J.B.) Pritzker," the President said.
Advocates for the Safe-T Act say violent crime has been down in Illinois since it went into effect ... and the Coalition To End Money Bond has said that the President's real goal is to punish "poor people and People of Color based on the size of their bank accounts and the color of their skin."
He also took new shots at public safety in Chicago, describing the city as a "killing field" while insisting his plan to bring federal law enforcement resources into Chicago was popular with people living in the city.
The President's description of Chicago comes as city and state leaders cite numbers showing double-digit reductions in violent crime. He appeared to dismiss those numbers today.
"They say, 'we don't need them, freedom, freedom, he's a dictator, he's a dictator' ... lot of people are saying maybe we'd like a dictator," the President said, while insisting he isn't one.
Mayor Johnson says federal intervention in Chicago is unconstitutional ... and the city's reviewing its legal options.