I've been predicting a summer of chaos, criminal violence, "protests" (riots), and attacks on politicians for a couple of months now.
Not all of it will be anti-Trump or anti-Republican; not by a long shot, although a lot of people will try to stuff everything into the "It's Trump's fault" category. On the other hand, expect more people to take potshots at Trump and other politicians. I wouldn't even be surprised if some of the anarchist/Antifa-types go after Democrats whom they think are insufficiently radical.
Tom Steyer got a taste of that in Los Angeles, where he made the mistake of showing up in a neighborhood without paying off the local protection racket.
Tom Steyer describes himself as a champion for reparations, but it still took a California Highway Patrol escort to get him out of Leimert Park after his SUV was surrounded by protesters. https://t.co/r2Q85rSRcU pic.twitter.com/NPtumxMx7f
— Maeve Reston (@MaeveReston) May 22, 2026
Still, most of the violence and chaos will stem from societal breakdown, some of which is due to the radical political rhetoric of the left, but much of which stems from the anti-police and anti-incarceration policies of leftists.
🚨WHAT ON EARTH?!!!!
— Matt Van Swol (@mattvanswol) May 25, 2026
Hundreds of cars were vandalized in Chicago after police broke up a "teen takeover" and kids began fleeing by JUMPING ON CARS AND SMASHING WINDSHIELDS!!!
WHERE ARE THE PARENTS OF THESE KIDS???!!!!!!!
THIS HAS GOT TO STOP!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/n59199CtGL
I don't know of a city that exhibits this trend more than Chicago, which, under Brandon Johnson, the teacher/mayor/union hack, has turned into a lawless hellhole on the weekends.
This is Chicago’s Lower Wacker.
— Brian Costin (@BrianCostin) May 24, 2026
This is Brandon Johnson’s Chicago.
This is JB Pritzker’s Illinois. pic.twitter.com/yXLZ1QNY0R
Weekends in Chicago are nonstop shooting sprees, teen takeovers, street takeovers, and gang violence. Not that Mayor Teacher Union will let you say that, because it is too mean.
Chicago Mayor Johnson: "The term mob is inappropriate… to refer to children as AL CAPONES!!!" pic.twitter.com/NIpSbBZYmz
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) May 25, 2026
We're supposed to understand the "context" and "history," as if the poor, oppressed black kids were newly-freed slaves, or that their ancestors from a few generations back never learned how to be law-abiding.
This is the scene early this morning in Little Village before a mass shooting occurred.
— Libs Of Chicago (@Libs_OfChicago) May 25, 2026
Four ppl were shot, none of them fatally.
• 14-year old male shot in right arm
• 16-year old female shot in left calf
• 18-year old female shot right ass cheek
• 16-year old female shot… pic.twitter.com/lZa5rQhAjg
I have news for Johnson: it wasn't always this way. It was a choice to embrace barbarity.
🚨BREAKING: 21 people shot, including children across Chicago so far this weekend, mass shooting last night & 5 police officers hospitalized after being mowed down by an 18-year-old at a teen takeover on the West Side.
— Dapper Detective (@Dapper_Det) May 24, 2026
Chicago is a total war zone ruled by Democrats. pic.twitter.com/sHJYobLlkd
Things are escalating to the point where the police have become targets, just as federal agents were earlier this year. There has been a full-scale propaganda campaign to delegitimize laws and law enforcement, and people who are not inclined to respect authority have heard and responded as you would expect.
It’s now open season on Chicago Police.
— Paul Vallas (@PaulVallas) May 24, 2026
A driver ramming into 5 police officers is a direct result of a decade long, scorched-earth, no-holds-barred war of resistance against CPD.
This war against police — the purpose of which is to undermine police authority and the rule of… pic.twitter.com/HAZsNyQNYO
I expect to see a replay of 2020, with an attempt to impose political overtones on what amounts to complete social breakdown, encouraged by radical politicians who see political advantage to be had in promoting it.
Per this genius these ridiculous disruptive & violent gatherings are just like the marches of the Civil Rights movements.
— Libs Of Chicago (@Libs_OfChicago) May 25, 2026
Chicago Public Schools are to blame for this level of stupidity. https://t.co/oCbjPejzcw pic.twitter.com/1AeU6sZfk3
The media in Chicago isn't sure how to play all this yet, so they do what they do whenever something inconvenient to The Narrative™ happens: ignore it.
Rioting Chicago “teens” plow into cops with a car, injuring five officers!
— Steve Cortes (@CortesSteve) May 25, 2026
Doesn’t even make the front page of the despicable, corrupt, failed Chicago Tribune…once a truly great newspaper… https://t.co/KbqnXHgj3m pic.twitter.com/bUzy93vwp6
🚨WHAT THE HELL?!!!
— Matt Van Swol (@mattvanswol) May 26, 2026
SIX Chicago police officers have been injured at "TEEN TAKEOVERS" in 48 HOURS.
Police had to deploy a HELICOPTER after 500+ teens took over a beach and started PUNCHING each other and VANDALIZING CARS.
...ON MEMORIAL DAY!!!!
WHERE ARE THE PARENTS?!!!!! pic.twitter.com/FNichuOkFi
Less so on TV, because it makes for good ratings. But the establishment media is downplaying things like murder sprees and multiple cops being run over by cars because most people still recoil. They are looking for something political to hang it on. Which is hard right now in Chicago, with a Democratic mayor and governor who love the criminals.
I received this video of a street takeover that occurred in Chicago recently.
— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) May 9, 2026
When the CPD rolled up on a street takeover these thugs immediately swarm them. One car did donuts around the patrol vehicle while two punks hung out the windows flipping off the cops. As the chaos… https://t.co/S3C69dY75n pic.twitter.com/mJbPHyo3vY
I received this video of a street takeover that occurred in Chicago recently.
When the CPD rolled up on a street takeover these thugs immediately swarm them. One car did donuts around the patrol vehicle while two punks hung out the windows flipping off the cops. As the chaos gets filmed for clout, the officers try to reverse...
A thug slams into the front of the cruiser and starts pushing it backward.
This is what happens when city leaders demonize police and protect criminals: Chicago has turned into a lawless cesspool that looks like a third-world country, not America.
I can't predict how all this will play out politically. Democrats know it ramps up their base, who seem to exult in chaos. But swing voters, not so much. Certainly, Spencer Pratt is benefiting from the backlash against social decline and chaos.
An 18-year-old has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly striking five Chicago police officers with a vehicle while officers were working to disperse rowdy crowds. pic.twitter.com/gnK0k5nMeS
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) May 26, 2026
But then again, Polymarket only gives Pratt a 25% chance of victory. He's up against a machine in a city dominated by Democrats.
Newark, N.J. (May 25) — Antifa and far-left rioters are stealing debris and concrete chunks from the neighborhood to build a street blockade outside the Delaney Hall Detention Center. Video by @elaadeliahu: pic.twitter.com/VBhnFreIWr
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) May 25, 2026
I expect that Brandon Johnson will face a lot of trouble in 2027, but then again, he isn't going to be replaced by a Republican. Rahm Emmanuel was too conservative for the city, after all, so I have little hope for recovery there.
Newark, N.J. (May 25) — Federal officials attempt to clear out the growing mob of far-left rioters & Antifa who have been occupying the area outside the Delaney Hall Detention Center. The rioters are wanting to shut down the facility. pic.twitter.com/LJiDduSzfI
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) May 25, 2026
BREAKING: Federal agents blitz Antifa rioters at ICE Broadview facility using Bearcats, flash grenades, tear gas, pepper balls and spray, paintballs, and other non-lethals
— Border Hawk (@BorderHawkNews) September 28, 2025
Riot has been crushed, mob sent running for the hills
Follow Border Hawk for updates from Chicago pic.twitter.com/cKakidei5T
Whatever the case, none of that will affect the violence to come this summer. That is already baked into the cake. People are primed, the signals have been sent, the permission structure has been built, and the police forces are understaffed and held back by politicians.
Newark, N.J. (May 24) — Antifa terrorists waving their flag have joined and grown the autonomous zone outside the Delaney Hall Detention Center. Like in CHAZ and Minneapolis, they’ve set up a hard border to claim the public area. pic.twitter.com/yEXGBywzS1
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) May 25, 2026
A lot of cities, including normally peaceful cities like Seattle, are going to have a tough summer.
UPDATE: Trump takes a swipe at Brandon Johnson and Governor Pritzker. Not that it will matter there.
Trump on the teen takeover in Chicago: "Mayor and Governor are terrible. Should call for help!" pic.twitter.com/uzamx8Av93
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) May 26, 2026
Editor’s Note: Democrat politicians and their radical supporters will do everything they can to interfere with and threaten ICE agents enforcing our immigration laws.
Help us hold these leftists accountable and expose their obstruction. Join HotAir VIP and use promo code FIGHT to receive 60% off your membership.

Join the conversation as a VIP Member