Washington, D.C., August 31, 2025 — Appearing on NewsNation, Nestpoint Managing Director John Thomas delivered a sharp critique of Democratic leaders who continue to dismiss rising crime concerns in Chicago while rejecting federal assistance. His remarks come as President Trump considers expanding National Guard deployments beyond Washington, D.C., to address urban crime in other major U.S. cities.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker recently declared there was “no emergency” in Chicago that would justify federalization. Thomas, however, challenged that narrative. “We can see what happened in Washington, D.C.,” he explained. “The local government resisted federal help, but after President Trump stepped in, crime in most categories dropped by double digits. I just visited D.C., and the city felt palpably safer. Why can’t Chicago give this a chance?”
Thomas argued that political resistance, rather than concern for public safety, drives Democratic opposition. He pointed to Chicago’s status as a sanctuary city, which complicates reporting and data accuracy. “The FBI won’t even rely upon Chicago’s crime data because they don’t report how many illegals are committing crimes,” Thomas said. “Instead of playing politics, why not give cooperation a shot, and if it doesn’t work, then send Trump packing? But at least try.”
The discussion also highlighted the broader tension between Democrats’ primary politics and general election realities. While state and local leaders face pressure from progressive voters to resist Trump, Thomas emphasized the risk of handing Republicans a decisive political advantage. “Democrats are damned if they do, damned if they don’t,” he noted. “Primary voters want leaders who fight Trump, but general election voters want adults in the room who will reach across the aisle. By resisting federal help, Democrats are seeding law and order to Trump and the GOP.”
Thomas underscored that the issue extends beyond partisan framing. He urged leaders to put the safety of residents above political posturing. “Any major city — whether Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, or Chicago — should welcome additional assistance. We just saw the results in D.C. The real tragedy is that Chicagoans are being caught in the crossfire of political battles instead of benefiting from solutions that can make their streets safer.”
Throughout his remarks, Thomas reinforced Nestpoint’s reputation for cutting through political theater to provide clear-eyed analysis of national security, governance, and public safety challenges. His perspective reflected Nestpoint’s broader mission: guiding clients and stakeholders through complex policy debates with strategic clarity and foresight.
The full interview originally aired on NewsNation and can be viewed here.
About Nestpoint
Nestpoint, with a global footprint, and a formidable presence in Washington, D.C., is a leading government affairs, finance and private equity firm. As a strategic ally, Nestpoint transforms challenges into opportunities through its expertise in policy influence, global networks, and financial innovation, delivering customized solutions for sustained client success. Nestpoint advises multibillion-dollar companies in the manufacturing, energy, and technology sectors as well as foreign nations.
