Chicago City Wire

The head of the Chicago Police Union has reached out to President Trump claiming that the city is in “chaos.”

John Catanzara, Jr., president of FOP Lodge 7, criticized Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot as a “complete failure” in a letter to the president, according to ABC7 Chicago.

“Mayor Lightfoot has proved to be a complete failure who is either unwilling or unable to maintain law and order here. I would be willing to sit down anytime and discuss ideas about how we can bring civility back to the streets of Chicago. These politicians are failing the good men and women of this city and the police department," Catanzara wrote.

Lightfoot’s office called the letter “a political stunt” and said that Lightfoot’s office would “continue to support the true, hardworking men and women of the police department,” according to ABC7.

She has been a target of the president’s ire with respect to her handling Chicago's violence, especially at a time when the Chicago Police Department is under scrutiny for July 17 interactions with protesters near the Christopher Columbus statue in Grant Park.

Lightfoot made a statement about reports of excessive force by police officers, saying “These are also unacceptable and [COPA] will ensure that each of these is dealt with and investigated.”  

State and city officials condemned Chicago’s response to the rally in Grant Park and complaints are under investigation by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability.

In June, Trump sent a letter to Lightfoot, criticizing how her administration handled violence in the city. Trump said he was “horrified” by the surges in violence, comparing Chicago to military combat zones.

"I don't need leadership lessons from Donald Trump," Lightfoot told ABC7. "He's using the victims of gun violence in our city to score cheap political points, spew racist rhetoric, and ignore the impact of COVID across this country. It is despicable, disgusting and all too typical.”