Listen to the article
Trump Administration Threatens to Pull Chicago Transit Funding Over Safety Concerns
The Trump administration is threatening to withdraw federal funding for Chicago’s public transportation system unless the city bolsters security measures following a horrific attack on a commuter train last month.
Federal Transit Authority Administrator Marc Molinaro issued a demand to Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, giving them until December 19 to develop and implement an updated safety plan for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). The ultimatum comes after an incident on November 17 when a man allegedly doused 26-year-old Bethany MaGee with gasoline on a Blue Line L train and set her on fire.
According to court documents, the suspect, 50-year-old Lawrence Reed of Chicago, poured gasoline from a plastic drink bottle on MaGee as she sat with her back to him. He then chased her through the train car before setting her ablaze. Reed exited at the next downtown stop while MaGee stumbled out and collapsed. She suffered severe burns but survived.
Police arrested Reed the following morning, and federal prosecutors have charged him with committing a terrorist attack, an offense that carries a maximum life sentence.
Court records reveal Reed has an extensive criminal history dating back to 1993, with more than 60 criminal cases filed against him. These range from minor offenses like trespassing and drug possession to more serious violent charges, including at least 15 battery and assault cases and two arson cases. At the time of the train attack, Reed was on electronic monitoring for an active battery case involving a hospital social worker.
In his letter, Molinaro called it “unconscionable” that Reed had been released in the previous battery case, describing the attack on MaGee as reflecting “systemic failures in both leadership and accountability on all levels that cannot be tolerated.”
“I will not accept the brutal assault of an innocent 26-year-old woman as an inevitable cost of providing public transportation,” Molinaro wrote. His letter did not specify what security improvements should be implemented.
The Cook County chief judge’s office pointed to Illinois state law that limits judges’ ability to deny pretrial release for defendants, suggesting this contributed to Reed’s monitoring status rather than detention.
Governor Pritzker’s office responded that Trump is politicizing “a heinous tragedy” while doing nothing to make Illinois communities safer. Pritzker’s team highlighted legislation passed in October to create a law enforcement task force addressing public transit safety. However, the governor has yet to sign the bill, which wouldn’t take effect until June if approved.
Mayor Johnson acknowledged the seriousness of potentially losing federal funding but criticized Trump’s approach. “It’s no secret here that President Trump spends more time thinking about my job than actually doing his,” Johnson said during a news conference, adding that the president should partner with American cities rather than act as an adversary.
CTA officials confirmed receipt of Molinaro’s letter and committed to responding within the requested timeline but offered no additional details.
This funding threat represents the latest clash between the Trump administration and Democratic-led cities. The administration has repeatedly characterized urban areas like Chicago as crime-ridden despite significant drops in violent crime following pandemic-era increases. In October, the administration withheld $2.1 billion for Chicago infrastructure projects, including expansion of the Red Line L train to some of the city’s poorest neighborhoods. Administration officials cited concerns about race-based contracting as justification.
The relationship between Trump and Pritzker has been particularly contentious. The Illinois governor has been one of Trump’s most vocal critics and has resisted federal efforts to deploy National Guard troops in Chicago. Their public feud escalated recently when Trump referred to Pritzker as “a fat slob” during the ceremonial Thanksgiving turkey pardons.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
12 Comments
This is a complex issue without easy answers. Balancing public safety with maintaining essential transit services is a challenge. I’m curious to see what specific security measures the city and federal government propose to address the concerns.
Good point. The details of the safety plan will be crucial. I hope they consult transit users, security experts, and other stakeholders to develop a comprehensive and effective approach.
Horrific attack. I hope the victim makes a full recovery. The city and federal government need to work together quickly to ensure the safety of all transit riders, while avoiding policies that could unfairly punish the broader community.
This is a concerning development that requires a thoughtful, collaborative approach. Improving transit safety is important, but punitive measures could do more harm than good. I hope the officials involved can find an equitable solution.
Well said. A balanced, evidence-based plan developed through open dialogue would be the best way forward here.
This is a tragic and disturbing incident. Safety on public transit should be a top priority for officials. I hope the city can work quickly with the federal government to implement effective security measures and prevent such attacks in the future.
Agreed, the safety of commuters must come first. I’m glad the suspect was quickly apprehended, but more needs to be done to ensure a safe and secure transit system.
Tragic incident. I’m glad the suspect was arrested, but more needs to be done to prevent such attacks. I hope the city and federal government can work together constructively to address this issue and keep commuters safe.
While I understand the administration’s concerns about transit safety, threatening to pull funding is a heavy-handed approach that could ultimately hurt the very citizens the policy aims to protect. I hope the city and federal government can work collaboratively on this issue.
I share your perspective. Constructive dialogue and a collaborative solution would be much more effective than ultimatums and threats of funding cuts.
This is a concerning development. While safety must be the top priority, cutting transit funding could have severe consequences for low-income residents who rely on public transportation. I hope a balanced solution can be found.
Agreed, any proposed changes should carefully consider the impact on vulnerable populations. Maintaining access to reliable public transit is crucial.