On Chicago’s Morning Answer, Dan Proft spoke with Thomas Weitzel, retired chief of police for Riverside, about the Chicago Teachers Union’s controversial social media post honoring convicted cop-killer Assata Shakur, the growing hostility toward law enforcement, and the federal government’s immigration enforcement presence in Chicago.
CTU and the Legacy of Assata Shakur
Weitzel criticized the Chicago Teachers Union for glorifying Shakur, who was convicted of murdering a New Jersey state trooper in 1973 before escaping prison and living in exile in Cuba until her death. “They’re educating the youth of Chicago while demonizing police,” Weitzel said, warning that such rhetoric erodes public trust in law enforcement and emboldens anti-police sentiment.
Federal vs. Local Authority
The interview also touched on the increased visibility of ICE operations in Chicago under Operation Midway Blitz. Proft highlighted local criticism from elected officials and activists who accused agents of racial profiling and cruelty. Weitzel countered that the federal presence is a deliberate show of authority, underscoring that ICE operates independently of state and local directives. He also noted that individuals arrested often have final removal orders after appeals, meaning due process has already been exhausted.
Crime, Repeat Offenders, and “Peacekeepers”
Weitzel pointed to a deeper crisis within Chicago’s justice system, citing repeated instances of violent offenders with extensive rap sheets being released back into the community. He argued that weak sentencing and lenient release policies have led to preventable crimes. The conversation also addressed the controversial “peacekeeper” and “violence interrupter” programs. In one recent case, a self-identified peacekeeper was arrested for assaulting a police officer—just the latest example, according to Weitzel, of why he considers the initiative a “complete scam.”
The Bigger Picture
For Weitzel, the combination of anti-police rhetoric from influential institutions, resistance to federal immigration enforcement, and repeat-offender leniency forms a dangerous mix. “They’re destroying the profession daily,” he said, calling for stronger accountability from judges, prosecutors, and political leaders.