"Dictator in the White House" — Chicago Priest Defends Pope Leo's Hometown
Fr. Michael Pfleger’s fiery warning against Trump’s National Guard plan has gone viral as ICE agents sweep Chicago streets.
In Chicago — the hometown of Pope Leo XIV — Fr. Michael Pfleger, St. Sabina’s fearless priest, has gone viral for calling out President Trump’s threats.
Last month on national television, Pfleger declared bluntly: “We got a dictator in the White House… a fascist who works on bullying and threatening and intimidation.”
His words are resonating now as harrowing videos show masked ICE agents sweeping immigrants off city sidewalks in broad daylight.
Pfleger — whose work combating gun violence in Chicago has earned him global accolades — made an on-air denunciation that resonated with many Americans who were shocked by these images.
In recent weeks, the Trump administration quietly drew up plans to send thousands of troops into Chicago, citing crime and illegal immigration.
Officials even discussed using active-duty soldiers. Gov. JB Pritzker led a broad coalition in denouncing the idea.
“There is no emergency in Chicago that calls for armed military intervention,” he said, calling Trump’s threatened deployment illegal.
“It is unconstitutional. And it is un-American.” Pritzker flatly refuted Trump’s claims, emphasizing “Chicago is not in a state of emergency.”
Illinois leaders — from the governor and congresswomen to faith organizers — united in warning that sending a National Guard into city neighborhoods would be a dangerous, authoritarian stunt, not a solution.
Father Pfleger framed Trump’s plan as part of a broader pattern of intimidation. He reminded the president that real violence isn’t only on Chicago’s streets.
“Before you dare speak about any violence in Chicago, look into your mirror and address the violence coming from the White House,” Pfleger said, turning Trump’s words back on him.
The priest’s challenge echoed Pope Leo XIV’s own messaging about protecting the vulnerable: leaders must serve peace, not wield power.
Pfleger noted that Chicago’s real work has been community-based, not militarized, so Trump’s proposed Guard mission was both unnecessary and provocative.
Today, the same Chicago neighborhoods witnessing ICE raids are echoing Pfleger’s message. As citizens film police and agents detaining immigrant families, many see in Pfleger’s warning a call to conscience.
His fiery critique has united residents — Catholic and non-Catholic alike — in rejecting any crackdown on their city.
Standing in Pope Leo’s hometown, Pfleger’s words remind us that American faith leaders won’t quietly kneel as democracy is cornered.
In the face of authoritarian posturing, Pfleger’s stand offers a faith-rooted resistance: protect the stranger, defend democracy, and hold the mirror up to those who abuse power.
I imagine that Pope Leo is incredibly proud of his brother priest for defending their shared hometown from President Trump.
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Thank you for reading. I’ll see you on the road.
Thank you so much from the depths of my heart. This fight is not for those that look different skin color or whatever this administration wants to shove down your throat. It’s not it’s about him. It’s about Trump what he wants to do to all of us and the name of Protecting you from criminals like me who are you? Is a United States citizen who has served our country and is proud to be a Roman Catholic.
Our voices cannot go silent, nor can the hope inside of her soul and in her heart
Look at my neighbors when I’m walking with my dogs in the morning some of them are to the point where they’re hiding and now they are behind closed doors locked with cameras . My neighborhood has changed in the last six years covering the second term of the Trump administration. It has gotten worse. He made so many promises even to those in the breadbasket which are predominantly Republicans. He’s stepping on them. They’re filing bankruptcy. These are farmers. These are agriculture. This was our once proud bread basket of this United States that provided food for us! AND THE WORLD
And what is this administration done destroy everything that we hold near and dare to our hearts IF YOU DON’T THINK I SPEAK THE TRUTH LOOK AT YOUR PRICE OF FOOD, GASOLINE, COME THE FIRST OF THE YEAR BBB BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL. Which is not
THE COST FOR MEDICAL CARE WILL SIGNIFICANTLY GO UP TO THE POINT WHERE WE CAN’T AFFORD IT
Meantime, he speaks of a ballroom destroyed the rose garden. Has destroyed everything.
MEANTIME, MY MAGA FRIENDS , STATED TO ME WHILE WE WERE WALKING THIS MORNING
‘ Well they said it was going to hurt a lot more’.
That’s when I turned around and looked at him, how much more does it have to hurt you can’t work anymore. You’re getting food stamps. You have no money to pay bills. You can’t even make the mortgage payment. SO HOW MUCH MORE DO YOU WANT IT TO HURT YOU’RE LOSING YOUR HOME?
He just looked at me didn’t say a word I TOLD MY FRIEND JUST LET THAT SINK IN WHAT YOU JUST TOLD ME
HOW MUCH MORE IS IT GOING TO HURT? BEFORE YOU SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
That I departed. It was the end of our walk. I wished him a good day. It would see him in the morning God willing. . .
WHEN DID PAIN BECOME THE NORM?
WHEN DID you Stop TRUSTING YOUR NEIGHBOR?
WHEN WILL YOU SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH?
I ASK YOU TO PRAY.
PRAY THAT THIS EVIL PERSON GOES AWAY
THAT WE COME BACK TO REALITY .
TO THE COUNTRY THAT THE WHOLE WORLD LOOKED UP TO..
BECOME NORMAL THE LEADERS OF THE FREE WORLD
“I imagine that Pope Leo is incredibly proud of his brother priest for defending their shared hometown from President Trump.”
You know he is!
After all, Pope Leo is still Father Bob. He knows who we are, and he cares about us — deeply.