By Jenni FinkShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberWhite House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt criticized "liberal soft-on-crime" policies for threatening people's safety after a woman was set on fire on the Chicago subway last week.
Why It Matters
The attack has sparked national attention, intensifying debate on public safety and criminal justice reforms in Chicago—a city frequently spotlighted in political discussions around violent crime.
The incident follows the Trump administration’s controversial deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago and ongoing federal crackdowns on crime and immigration.
Safety on public transit systems nationwide has become a pressing concern after a series of high-profile attacks reported over the past year, including the stabbing death of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte, North Carolina, in August.
What to Know
On November 17, 26-year-old Bethany MaGee was doused in gasoline and set on fire on the Chicago Blue Line. Lawrence Reed, 50, was arrested and charged with federal terrorism. The case, which has been described as "barbaric," had dozens of prior arrests and sparked criticism of criminal justice policies in the city that allowed him to be out of prison.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Leavitt asked for prayers for MaGee as she fights for her life in the hospital. Leavitt added that this "monster," in reference to Reed, "should have been locked behind bars, not roaming the streets."
"These liberal soft-on-crime policies threaten the safety and lives of law-abiding Americans," Leavitt said. "Enough is enough."
This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
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