(NewsNation) — Bill O’Reilly and Stephen A. Smith criticized Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday, calling his rejection of federal assistance for Chicago’s crime problems a political mistake that prioritizes partisan politics over public safety.
O’Reilly, appearing on NewsNation’s “CUOMO,” called Pritzker “the worst governor in the country” and accused him of misleading the public about Chicago’s murder statistics.
“He’s worse than Newsom, and it’s hard to believe that you could be worse than Newsom,” O’Reilly said, referring to California Gov. Gavin Newsom. “Pritzker doesn’t want to solve the problem. It’s too messy.”
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O’Reilly cited statistics showing more than 7,000 people have been murdered in Chicago over the past decade, with 80% of victims being Black Americans. He described neighborhoods where residents cannot leave their homes or testify against gang members due to fear of retaliation.
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Smith supported O’Reilly’s critique while acknowledging concerns about military deployment.
As “the lone Black man on this segment,” Smith said he didn’t need statistics to know the situation in Chicago has been dire for years.
“I recall seeing a Black couple on national television asking for military assistance. That’s how bad it has been in Chicago,” Smith said. “Black folks in that city have been getting killed for years, and I’m disgusted at the level of ineffectiveness.”
The criticism came as President Donald Trump vowed to deploy federal troops to Chicago following a Labor Day weekend that saw eight people killed and 58 injured in shootings. Pritzker has refused to request federal assistance, saying “Chicago does not want troops on our streets.”
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O’Reilly said the White House is preparing a legal argument that drug gangs should be classified as terrorists, which could provide constitutional grounds for federal military intervention despite the Posse Comitatus Act that prohibits military forces from acting as law enforcement.
Smith acknowledged legal concerns about military deployment but argued that political considerations were preventing necessary action. He said Pritzker’s position amounted to refusing help while offering no alternative solutions.
“If you’re a governor and you’re going to take that position … I have no problem with you at all, Bill, calling out the governor of Illinois,” Smith told O’Reilly.
Some Democratic leaders including Maryland Gov. Wes Moore initially rejected assistance before later agreeing to work with the administration.
Smith contrasted Pritzker’s approach with that pivot, saying governors should focus on getting help rather than scoring political points.
“People are of that mindset, thinking along those lines, that it’s all about politics because you don’t want to receive the obvious help that you need,” Smith said. “It’s just inexcusable.”
