JUST IN: Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson says gun violence in Chicago is actually caused by red states bringing guns over state lines.Johnson claimed that the gun violence in his city was Trump’s fault because he hasn’t ended mass gun trafficking.”The vast majority of guns do not come from Chicago… For every gun that the Chicago PD fights to get off the streets, two or three more new guns come into our city.”

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is drawing fresh controversy after blaming his city’s ongoing gun violence crisis on Republican-led states and former President Donald Trump. According to Johnson, the surge in violence isn’t rooted in Chicago itself, but in firearms being trafficked across state lines from so-called “red states.”

Speaking to reporters, Johnson argued that federal inaction—particularly under Trump’s leadership—has allowed the illegal gun trade to thrive. “The vast majority of guns do not come from Chicago,” Johnson said. “For every gun that the Chicago PD fights to get off the streets, two or three more new guns come into our city.”

Johnson pointed to lax gun laws in neighboring states like Indiana as a key factor in the flow of firearms into Chicago. He insisted that until national gun policy is addressed and trafficking routes are disrupted, the city’s efforts to curb violence will continue to be undermined.Critics were quick to push back on the mayor’s comments, accusing him of deflecting blame and failing to address systemic issues within Chicago itself—such as gang violence, under-resourced neighborhoods, and what some call weak enforcement of local laws.

The mayor’s remarks have sparked a renewed debate over the roots of urban gun violence and the responsibilities of local versus federal leadership. With crime still a top concern for many Chicago residents, Johnson’s comments are sure to remain a political flashpoint.