President Donald Trump on Tuesday declared Chicago “completely out of control” and renewed his threat to send federal forces into the city following the horrific burning attack on a 26-year-old woman aboard a CTA Blue Line train last week.
Speaking to reporters after the annual White House turkey pardon, Trump singled out the suspect, 50-year-old Lawrence Reed, who has been arrested 72 times and was free on electronic monitoring despite repeated violations.
“They poured gasoline on a beautiful young woman and lit her on fire while she was just riding the train. Seventy-two prior arrests. Think of it – 72 times! And the radical Democrat judges let him walk the streets again,” Trump said. “This would never happen in a Trump America. Chicago is a war zone because of weak, incompetent leadership.”
The victim, identified by family and friends as Bethany MaGee, remains in critical condition at Stroger Hospital with third-degree burns covering her face, scalp, and upper body. Disturbing surveillance video released by federal authorities shows Reed calmly approaching MaGee from behind, dousing her with gasoline, and igniting her as panicked passengers fled the train car.
Reed was arrested minutes later and has been charged federally with committing a terrorist attack against a mass transportation system, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Federal prosecutors revealed Reed purchased the gasoline at a station just 30 minutes before the attack and had violated his electronic monitoring conditions at least six times in recent weeks, including multiple curfew breaches. Despite objections from prosecutors, Cook County judges repeatedly released him under Illinois’ controversial no-cash-bail SAFE-T Act.
The White House wasted no time politicizing the tragedy. In a blistering statement titled “72 Arrests Wasn’t Enough – Democrats Let Him Burn Her Alive,” the administration accused Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson of “blood on their hands” for embracing “dangerous, far-left criminal justice experiments.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told Fox News the attack was “100% preventable” and vowed the federal government “will not stand by while American cities descend into chaos.”
Trump doubled down, claiming he could make Chicago “the safest big city in America in four weeks” if local leaders invited federal intervention.
“I’m ready to send in the National Guard, federal law enforcement, whatever it takes,” Trump declared. “But the governor – a total slob – and the mayor won’t even take my call. They’d rather virtue-signal than save lives.”
Governor Pritzker fired back on X, calling Trump’s comments “disgusting, demented fear-mongering from a twice-impeached convicted felon who wants to turn America into an authoritarian state.” Mayor Johnson labeled any federal takeover “unconstitutional” and accused the president of “exploiting a tragedy for political gain.”
The incident has reignited the national debate over bail reform and public safety in Democrat-run cities. Critics point to Reed’s lengthy rap sheet – including prior arson and battery convictions – as proof that Illinois’ reforms have failed dangerously. Supporters argue the system is underfunded and that mental health treatment, not mass incarceration, is the answer.
Chicago police data shows overall violent crime down roughly 10% this year, but high-profile attacks on the CTA have fueled public outrage. Just weeks ago, a Ukrainian refugee was fatally stabbed on a Red Line platform in another random assault.
As Bethany MaGee fights for her life, her family released a statement Tuesday thanking first responders and asking for privacy: “Bethany is a kind, vibrant young woman with her whole life ahead of her. Please keep her in your prayers.”
Federal authorities say Reed’s arraignment is scheduled for tomorrow morning in Chicago. President Trump has instructed the Justice Department to seek the “absolute maximum penalty” and hinted more charges could be coming.