Trump orders hundreds of federal agents to Chicago to fight violent crime wave

President Trump announced Wednesday that he will send hundreds of federal agents to Chicago to help stop a surge of violent crime in the Midwest city.

Trump, in an East Room address, said the agents are from the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, the Department of Homeland Security and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

“We have just started this process, and frankly we have no other choice but to get involved,” Trump said. “Help is on its way.”

The effort is part of large administration initiative known as Operation Legend, which has already been activated in Kansas City, Missouri.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has largely opposed such a federal intervention.

Trump spoke one day after 15 people were wounded in a shooting outside a Chicago funeral home.

In an effort to show cause, Trump listed the recent crime activity in the city – including 80 people shot and 17 killed over the Fourth of July weekend.

"Numbers not even to be believed," the president said.

The crime wave essentially started after the May 25 death of George Floyd while in the custody of Minneapolis police, which was followed by protests across the country calling for an end to police brutality toward Black-American and to "defund" law enforcement agencies.

Attorney General William Barr said the recent surge in violent crime is "the direct result of attacks on police forces."

"We will not rest until justice is delivered to your loved ones," Barr said.