Chicago Cops Accused of Ignoring Calls From Federal Officers Under Attack

CHICAGO, IL- Don’t let your lying ears deceive you. Despite audio clearly showing that Chicago police supervisors had officers stand down when federal officers were put under attack by violent mobs in the city, a Chicago police spokesperson claimed the department did respond to such incidents, including one where federal officers allegedly shot a woman, NewsNation reports.

The Fraternal Order of Police, which represents Chicago PD officers and which endorsed President Trump in 2024, said police were ordered not to respond to assist a group of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers when they were being “physically threatened” by an unhinged mob. 

A spokesperson for the FOP said that both the national FOP and the Chicago chapter of the group “believe that when an officer calls for assistance, you answer, no matter what.” 

A DHS spokesperson said the woman who was shot had been threatening federal officers with a semiautomatic weapon and was inside a vehicle that had blockaded federal officers and had them blocked in. DHS officials said the shooting occurred on the west side of Chicago when Customs and Border Patrol agents were ambushed by “domestic terrorists” who rammed federal police vehicles with their own vehicles. The woman was driving one of the vehicles and was in possession of the firearm, a DHS news release said. She also has a history of “doxxing agents.” 

The Chicago PD spokesperson claimed that CPD officers responded to calls for service from federal officers who were the victims of two hit-and-run crashes, which were not related to the shooting incident. The spokesperson claimed that officers responded to and documented the incidents. 

That statement is in stark contrast to audio communications of Chicago PD dispatch, obtained by NewsNation, whereby the department’s chief of patrol says, “Clear everybody up…We’re not responding over there,” referring to the location where the shooting took place. Seven seconds later, the patrol chief reiterates, “We’re not sending anyone over to that location.” 

Despite officers being clearly told not to respond, Chicago police officials advised against believing what you actually heard. 

At a news conference, Larry Snelling, CPD police superintendent, denied that officers were told to stand down. He defended Chief of Patrol Jon Hein, stating that no such order was given, despite the radio call. 

“I would never tell our officers to stand down because if our officers were in trouble and we needed help from other officers, I would expect those officers to step in and help us,” Snelling said. “And that’s the same thing we do on our side. When someone is in trouble, we’re going to step in.” 

Snelling claimed possible “miscommunication” and admitted that phone conversations may have take place with dispatchers. He denied reports that Hein ordered officers to stand down, calling that claim “false.” 

“The Chief of Patrol would never tell anyone to stand down,” Snelling told reporters on Monday. 

Under Chicago’s “sanctuary city” policies and the Illinois Trust Act, local police are banned from cooperating with federal agencies in immigration efforts. However, the city said it will protect individuals from harm while prioritizing public safety and the sanctity of human life, NewsNation reported. 

Snelling warned residents and rioters about targeting law enforcement officers and federal agents. He said it is reasonable for federal officers who protesters box in to have the belief they are being ambushed. He said anyone engaging in such conduct would be believed to be committing a crime involving deadly force. 

“We need to be clear about these laws,” Snelling said. “We cannot become a society where we just decide to take everything into our own hands and start to commit laws [sic] against law enforcement. It is a crime.” 

He continued, “I get that there are a lot of emotions out there, but that does not mean you get to commit a crime.” 

That claim didn’t sit well with John Garrido, a retired CPD lieutenant, who called socialist Mayor Brandon Johnson’s “ICE Free Zone” executive order “absolutely ridiculous.” That order prohibits ICE from using city property in its operations. 

“If the city would just calm down and just cooperate and coordinate with ICE, you wouldn’t have the situations that we’re having now,” Garrido said. “(ICE) is going to be here. They’re here. They’re not going anywhere, so let’s coordinate efforts to make it safe for everyone.” 

Garrido continued that directing officers not to assist federal officers last weekend proves the case made by the Trump administration that they need to supplement federal law enforcement with National Guard troops. 

‘You basically just handed it to them and said, ‘OK, now we’re able to send in the troops because local law enforcement isn’t able to help,” Garrido added.