President Donald Trump said the killings in Chicago have reached "epidemic proportions." | Getty Trump says he's sending feds to Chicago to help with crime problem

President Donald Trump said Friday morning that he’s sending in federal assistance to Chicago to help curb its crime problem.

“Crime and killings in Chicago have reached such epidemic proportions that I am sending in Federal help. 1714 shootings in Chicago this year!” Trump tweeted.


In a statement released later Friday by the Department of Justice, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the creation of the Chicago Gun Strike Force, which he said will send 20 agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives into the city and reallocate federal prosecutors to focus on gun violence.

Sessions also highlighted the Trump administration's efforts to force so-called "sanctuary cities" that shield undocumented immigrants from deportation to comply with federal law. He said states and cities must "protect our citizens—rather protecting the criminal illegal aliens who prey upon them."

“The Trump Administration will not let the bloodshed go on; we cannot accept these levels of violence," the statement from Sessions read. "I want to commend the President for his commitment to enforcing our laws and keeping our communities safe... With these new resources, she will help us make Chicago safe again."

Adam Collins, a spokesman for Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, said on Friday that the city welcomed the additional agents, but noted the Chicago Police Department is already improving the gun violence problem. "Six months ago we made it clear that we would welcome additional federal support, and six months later we appreciate the 20 new ATF agents that are now arriving. But the progress CPD has made this year has happened without any of the new resources from the federal government we requested," Collins said.

Trump has often tweeted and spoken at rallies about violence in Chicago and he’s often threatened to send in federal authorities.

“If Chicago doesn't fix the horrible ‘carnage’ going on, 228 shootings in 2017 with 42 killings (up 24% from 2016), I will send in the Feds!” the president tweeted Jan. 24, just days into his presidency.

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“Seven people shot and killed yesterday in Chicago. What is going on there - totally out of control. Chicago needs help!” he tweeted Feb. 23.

The Chicago Sun-Times said on Friday that according to their count, 1,737 people have been shot in the city this year, and that more than 300 of the victims were shot fatally.

Daniel Lippman contributed to this report.