WATCH: ‘Morning Joe’ Changes Tune, Humiliates Top Democrat In Brutal Interview

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was surprised on Tuesday to find that he wasn’t walking into a softball interview on MSNBC. Instead, he faltered as “Morning Joe” host Joe Scarborough incessantly grilled the progressive Democrat about crime in his city amid calls by President Donald Trump to send in the National Guard.

Johnson took the bait on Monday, blasting the president for suggesting that crime in the Windy City has gotten so bad that federal intervention is needed. His city would be the third to see Trump send in troops, following his actions in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles.

Speaking with a flummoxed Scarborough, Johnson maintained with a straight face that more cops on the beat isn’t the best answer to driving down crime rates.

“I’m curious, would you also like to get federal funding to help put 5,000 more cops on the street in Chicago? Would that help drive down crime?” Scarborough asked.

“Policing by itself is not the full strategy,” Johnson began before being cut off by the host, who called his other requests “good and important” elements of a wraparound strategy to reducing violent crime.

Scarborough continued: “But I’m asking also, would 5,000 more police officers on the street in Chicago be helpful to go along with all of those social programs that a lot of cities are engaging in and having success with?”

Unbowed, the mayor tried again.

“It’s just not policing alone,” he replied, pointing to his time as a city youth during the 1990s, when he claimed police ranks were higher, as were instances of violent crimes.

“Of course, we want more detectives. Of course– I, I got you, Joe,” Johnson tried to continue as Scarborough interrupted him.

“You’ve told me everything else you want, but I’m curious,” the MSNBC anchor tried a third time before Johnson dodged again.

“I believe that the city of Chicago and cities across America would be safer if we actually had affordable housing,” Johnson said.

“Okay, but that’s not the question I asked,” Scarborough interrupted. “My question is — I just need a yes or a no. Do you believe the streets of Chicago would be safer if you’ve got all of those extraordinary programs put back into place, which do have a history of being successful, if that’s complemented by having 5,000 more cops on the streets of Chicago?”

Johnson referred to the suggestion as an “antiquated approach” and said that “putting out an arbitrary number” would not make Chicago’s streets safer by itself.

“What I’m saying is policing and affordable housing, is policing and mental and behavior healthcare services, is policing and youth employment. It’s a full package,” Johnson continued.

WATCH:

Trump said on Friday that he would “probably” move to send National Guard soldiers into Chicago once he has restored peace to Washington, where his policies have resulted in nearly two weeks without a homicide.