UPDATE: A heated exchange erupted between Fox News host Jesse Watters and Democrat strategist Mike Nellis during a live interview on July 25, 2023, as tensions flared over President Donald Trump’s controversial proposals involving the National Guard in Chicago.
In a fiery discussion, Watters interrupted Nellis repeatedly, refusing to allow him to fully articulate his points regarding Trump’s suggestions to send military support to crime-ridden cities. Nellis, a former adviser on Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign, emphasized that Trump had lost in Chicago by 80% in three elections, arguing that his focus should shift to issues in Republican-led states instead.
“This isn’t about Chicago,” Nellis stated emphatically. “If Donald Trump wants to get involved heavily, he should go look at red states.” He pointedly referred to the urgent issues in Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, which struggle with high crime rates and poor social metrics.
Watters, visibly agitated, interjected, “Chicago’s a little bigger than Baton Rouge, Mike. You live in Chicago; you should care!” He criticized Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson for rejecting additional police support, questioning, “What the hell’s wrong with him?”
Nellis attempted to clarify his stance, stressing that while crime is a critical concern, the approach to safety must not include military presence on the streets. “I’m not gonna feel safe in my city if, when I take my son to school, I have to drive by a tank,” he explained, attempting to invoke empathy for Chicago residents.
Following the clash, Nellis took to social media, stating, “Seems I triggered @JesseBWatters a bit tonight,” and criticized Trump’s focus on Democratic cities, urging him to prioritize crises in Republican areas.
This on-air confrontation highlights the growing discord over Trump’s law enforcement strategies, particularly in Democratic strongholds like Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. An Axios analysis reveals that 13 of the 20 U.S. cities with the highest murder rates are located in red states, challenging the narrative that Democratic areas are the only ones in crisis.
As this situation develops, viewers are left questioning the implications of Trump’s proposed interventions and the ongoing debates about public safety across the nation. Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story.
