Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson dodged repeated questions from MSNBC host Joe Scarborough on Tuesday about whether an increased police presence in the city would help cut down on crime.

"Do you believe that the streets of Chicago would be safer if there were more uniformed police officers on the streets of Chicago?" Scarborough asked Johnson. 

Scarborough posed the question to the liberal Chicago mayor multiple times. Johnson instead emphasized the need for expanded social programs, including affordable housing. 

"I believe the city of Chicago and cities across America would be safer if we actually had, you know, affordable housing. Look, I’m not saying—" Johnson began, before Scarborough cut him off, noting it wasn’t the question he had asked.

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Scarborough pressed again, asking if more officers would reduce crime. Johnson said it shouldn’t be narrowed down to police alone, calling that an "antiquated approach."

"Are you hearing what I’m saying?" Scarborough pressed again. "I’m agreeing with you that all of these other social programs are extraordinarily important. I just need a yes or a no and then this will be the last time I ask. If you get all of those other social programs that $800 million that New York City does, Los Angeles, other people do with great success? Would an additional 5,000 cops on the streets in Chicago help complement those programs to make Chicago safer?" 

Johnson then argued it was about a combination of policing and social programs. 

"We are working hard to make sure our police department is fully supported. I don’t believe that just putting out an arbitrary number of officers is the answer. What I’m saying is: it’s policing and affordable housing. It’s policing and mental and behavioral health care. It’s policing and youth employment. It’s a full package," Johnson said. "Of course, we want to make sure our police department is fully supported."

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His remarks came as President Donald Trump announced he planned to use federal authorities to next crack down on crime in Chicago. 

Johnson said Sunday that Trump's plan to send the National Guard to the city was a "flagrant violation of our Constitution." 

Trump hinted at cracking down on crime in Chicago on Friday while speaking to reporters in the Oval Office. This comes after he ordered the National Guard into Washington, D.C., to address crime.

The president called Johnson "grossly incompetent" and said his administration would handle the city next. He also claimed the people of Chicago were "screaming" for federal assistance in cutting down the crime rate.

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Gov. J.B. Pritzker, D-Ill., accused Trump of trying to manufacture a crisis in Chicago. 

"The State of Illinois at this time has received no requests or outreach from the federal government asking if we need assistance, and we have made no requests for federal intervention," the governor said in a statement on Saturday.

Devarjaye "DJ" Daniel was sworn in as honorary deputy mayor for public safety in New York City on Tuesday morning. 

The 13-year-old cancer survivor, who was honored by President Donald Trump during his joint address to Congress earlier this year, can add the new title to his extensive law enforcement resume. 

"I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for my daddy," Daniel said on Tuesday, adding, "My dad's been driving me everywhere. No matter how tired he is, he still gets the job done. And out in Texas, we don't say we get it done, we get 'er done, like my dad says."

Mayor Eric Adams teased the swearing-in ceremony by announcing that Deputy Mayor Kaz Daughtry would be "stepping aside" from his public safety leadership role. 

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In light of the Manhattan District Attorney's Office announcing four new indictments against Adams' associates last week, Adams' announcement seemed all the more likely. 

"I will be stepping down just for a small bit today, and DJ Daniel will be taking my place as the honorary deputy mayor for public safety," Daughtry said Tuesday morning, joking about the "breaking news today."

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Adams announced ahead of Daniel's swearing-in that the 13-year-old had set the Guinness Book of World record for being sworn into the most law enforcement agencies across the country at more than 1,350 agencies, including a role as the New York City police commissioner earlier this year. 

Daniel was catapulted into the national spotlight when he was named an honorary U.S. Secret Service agent during Trump's joint address to Congress earlier this year. 

Since then, Daniel has been honored by law enforcement agencies across the country with the support of his father, Theodis, who announced his bid for Texas' 18th congressional district earlier this month. 

"When it comes to choosing people to serve in the critical role, we are looking for courage, commitment and experience. And you see all these stars, the silver, the diamonds. He has the experience that we need. He's battle-tested. He's a battle-tested leader with a strong record of public service, and we are proud to swear him in," Adams said. 

The mayor, who said public safety is his administration's top priority, announced that Daniel would visit the Empire State Building and other tourist attractions on Tuesday. 

Adams presented Daniel with a "Deputy Mayor DJ" uniform and then handed him a proclamation following the swearing-in ceremony. 

"DJ initially had five months to live, and we've beaten that," Daniel shared with Fox News Digital earlier this month. 

Daniel was diagnosed with terminal brain and spinal cancer when he was 6 years old but has continued to defy the odds. 

During his congressional address, Trump described Daniel as "a young man who truly loves our police" as he named him an honorary Secret Service agent to a standing ovation from Congress.