Presidential Hopeful Chris Christie Blames Obama For Chicago Violence Surge

By Rachel Cromidas in News on Sep 8, 2015 7:00PM

There are many explanations for Chicago's entrenched gun violence struggles, from U.S. gun control laws to decades of poverty and segregation in certain city neighborhoods. But presidential hopeful and New Jersey governor Chris Christie says President Barack Obama is squarely to blame.

About 46 people were wounded by gunfire in Chicago over Labor Day Weekend, and eight were fatally shot.

"The president has encouraged this lawlessness," Christie, a 2016 Republican presidential candidate said in an interview with MSNBC's Morning Joe Tuesday morning. "It is coming from the top."

“It’s not the safest summer in some time if you’re a murder victim in this city,” Christie said. "Whether it is New York, Chicago or San Francisco, it is happening everywhere.”

Christie also took aim at New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio's policies, particularly his stance on stop-and-frisk, the controversial policing strategy that many have called racist.

“Stop-and-frisk would be back in about five minutes," if it were up to Christie, he said.