During a rip-roaring speech in New Hampshire this week, Gov. JB Pritzker called for mass national protests and “disruption,” assailed “do-nothing” Democrats for their “simpering timidity” and labeled President Donald Trump a “madman” who cannot be reasoned with.
The Jewish Ukrainian American governor said of Trump: “Stop tearing down the Constitution in the name of my ancestors. Do not claim that your authoritarian power grabs are about antisemitism. When you destroy social justice, you are disparaging the very foundation of Judaism.
“These Republicans cannot know a moment of peace.”
Trump’s deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller told reporters that line “clearly could be construed as inciting violence.”
The president’s son, Donald Trump Jr., tweeted at the governor: “Are you trying to inspire a 3rd assassination attempt on my dad? Two wasn’t enough for you?”
Illinois Republican Party chair Kathy Salvi claimed Pritzker was “calling for political violence against Republicans” during his speech.
Fox News host Sean Hannity jumped into the fray, claiming the governor, “all but threatened half the country with violence.”
But here’s the rest of Pritzker’s paragraph: “They must understand that we will fight their cruelty with every megaphone and microphone that we have. We must castigate them on the soapbox and then punish them at the ballot box.”
Pritzker called the Republican accusations “ridiculous” and continued: “I called for people to take out their megaphones and their microphones, to stand up on soapboxes and get to the ballot box in order to defeat the people who are trying to take so many things away from the American people. That has nothing to do with violence.”
Basically, Pritzker was the Republican outrage of the day. It’s all pretty standard stuff.
The Pritzker folks appeared to be unfazed and even found it kind of amusing, with one calling the developments, “a master class in the right-wing echo chamber.”
As for the rest of us, we should probably just learn to get used to this. We’re in for about three or four more years of this stuff if Pritzker runs for reelection and then campaigns for president.
Mention to anyone near Pritzker that it sure looks like he’s setting up a presidential bid, and they will tell you he’s simply trying to rally the party and the nation against Trump. His folks will also correctly remind you the 2028 election is years away and the 2026 midterms are the next real concern.
But it’s obvious he can be fighting in the here and now and positioning the party for 2026 and also be trying to set himself for a 2028 bid.
Whatever the case, I only care about whether he’s doing the job he was twice elected to do. I was born here and have lived in Illinois all but a few years of my life, and I plan to be a resident for the rest of my life.
So far, Pritzker seems to be keeping up the pace of his state public events. And his agencies, while far from great, are not falling into further disrepair.
He’s made some poll-friendly proposals the last year or so, which a few have claimed are explained by his grand ambitions. But c’mon. Politicians love to push ideas that poll well.
The billionaire also has access to a fleet of jets, so he can zoom back and forth to national events in about the same time that it would take us mere mortals to drive from Chicago to Springfield during rush hour. And a Sunday event in another state is hardly the end of the world.
But if Pritzker’s governance does start slipping because he’s running for higher office, I pledge to let my opinion be known. I will not stand for it. This state is far too important, and its position has long been far too precarious to sacrifice it on the altar of national ambition. This ain’t Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton running for president. Arkansas could’ve slid off a cliff and nobody would’ve cared, because it was mostly already there.
And if he decides to run for reelection, he absolutely must choose a running mate who could step into the position if, by chance, Pritzker actually wins the nation’s top job. He also needs to make sure he has staffers in place who can keep the government running while his top staffers are directing his national efforts.
- TJ - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 8:58 am:
The modern GOP is the very epitome of the notion of a bully that can dish it out but can’t take it. Pritzker has yet to approach even a tenth of vitriol that 45/47 utters on his relatively well-managed days where he’s busy watching cartoons to say anything incendiary.
Pritzker is pointedly criticizing the right for unraveling the fabric of basic governance by slashing and burning federal agencies and attacking the judiciary (which largely backs him anyway), for needlessly crashing the economy with inane trade wars that benefit no one other than insider traders that make short sells with a bit of advance notice, and, most glaringly, tossing aside basic civil liberties by deporting without due process who even knows how many people?
- Arsenal - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 9:11 am:
He’s running for President. Could he stop before 2028? Before he even formally announces? Sure. It wouldn’t even really be much of a black swan event. But right now? He’s running for President.
- Langhorne - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 9:13 am:
Xlnt commentary.
Glad to have JB’s voice as part of the national attempt to achieve a new direction. But Illinois comes first.
- Alton Sinkhole - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 9:25 am:
Great article, Rich.
Personally, I think he should dedicate himself to running full-time. I’m someone inclined to vote for him (obviously will need to see the other Dems who get in first) and I think he’d be better served just making his case around the clock, nationwide rather than trying to do double duty.
I honestly think his chances will be helped my moving to full-time candidate. Plus, it’ll allow someone fully committed to the Governor’s Office to continue in that position.
I don’t think its totally wrong for him to run again, and he’s been an incredible Gov in my personal record book.
I just think he should dive all the way in if he’s going to do it.
- Yes, indeed - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 9:35 am:
This, 100%, or maybe 200%
“And if he decides to run for reelection, he absolutely must choose a running mate who could step into the position if, by chance, Pritzker actually wins the nation’s top job. He also needs to make sure he has staffers in place who can keep the government running while his top staffers are directing his national efforts.”
Related, Illinois doesn’t need the distraction of an open Dem primary for governor in 2026. And JB’s senior staff need to know their jobs are safe for continuity purposes.
JB should pick someone for Lt Gov who is qualified to take over and who would carry on JB’s way of doing things if he does go to DC in early 2029.
- Sam E. - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 9:36 am:
I couldn’t agree more. I hope JB runs for president because he’s been a good governor and I think he’d make a good president. But running for both reelection and for president would be risky not only for the state (for the reasons Rich points to) but for him politically. Lots can go wrong when you’re sitting atop a massive government bureaucracy — DCFS and parole scandals come immediately to mind. I wouldn’t want that exposure while running for prez.
- Downstate - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 9:40 am:
It’s happened so often that a sitting politician has run for another office, I’m not as concerned as you are, Rich, that JBP might opt to run for President as a sitting governor. Conversely, his war chest can overcome any de minimis impact of him not being “in office” when he runs, should he chose the other path.
At a more “30,000 foot” level, I do have trouble with elected officials running for the next office, while collecting a public salary for what is supposed to be a full time job. (Including the last IL Republican Gubernatorial nominee.)
I’m not sure how to fix the system. But it seems incredible that people can collect a salary while effectively campaigning for their next “upgrade”.
When I look at that through the business prism it’s even more implausible.
- Fed Up - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 9:47 am:
-I plan to be a resident for the rest of my life.-
I pity the individuals who aspire to this.
- DougChicago - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 9:53 am:
Thomas Dewey once told a young Richard Nixon: “Don’t get fat, don’t lose your zeal, and you can be President some day.”
Pritzker is half way there.
- Iron Duke - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 9:54 am:
We don’t need the distraction of an open primary for Governor or Senate?
Sounds like a threat to democracy
- Thomas Paine - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 10:00 am:
=== But if Pritzker’s governance does start slipping because he’s running for higher office, I pledge to let my opinion be known. ===
I hope we can count on your vigilance regarding any of the prospective candidates for Mayor and US Senate, Rich.
- levivotedforjudy - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 10:09 am:
A big key will be if Anne Caprara would stay as chief of staff or go on the campaign staff. It’s very doable as long as the right people are there to run the day-to-day operations of the Illinois government. They really do anyway or should.The Gov is the visionary and the face. I have noticed a trend the last few years in Springfield and Chicago where you see agency directors less in public than you used to. Also this is probably why POTUS candidates tend to come from the Beltway. They don’t have to run an operation, they just vote and raise money.
- JS Mill - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 10:12 am:
=I pity the individuals who aspire to this.=
Save your pity and move to wherever you think is better.
I would rather that the governor stay right here than run for president. He has done an admirable job with the state fiscally. We do not always align when it comes to his progressive agenda, but on the whole he has been one of the best governors of my lifetime.
The pearl clutching on the right is such a farce. He never threatened anyone’s safety but they are doing what authoritarian regimes always do. Always. Just textbook. I think it would be great to continue speaking out but I think a national strike and large national protests play right into the authoritarian playbook. I fear it gives them an opening to declare martial law. And before you say that is silly just remember there was a serious discussion in the west wing about that very thing in 2020.
I don’t want to see people harmed by what is going on, but the only way this changes is if trump does enough damage that he turns the voters against the gop.
- vern - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 10:24 am:
My one very reasonable request is for Pritzker to announce his 2026 plans. Many elected officials and potential candidates are waiting on Pritzker before finalizing their plans. Durbin announced his retirement, and Schakowsky is clarifying her plans today. It’s time for Pritzker to confirm whether he’s running for Governor or not so the rest of those dominoes can fall.
- H-W - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 10:38 am:
=== I pledge to let my opinion be known. I will not stand for it. This state is far too important. ===
Sounds like a campaign pledge. /s
Good reporting and summation, Rich, as always.
- homebody - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 10:59 am:
== He’s made some poll-friendly proposals the last year or so, which a few have claimed are explained by his grand ambitions. But c’mon. Politicians love to push ideas that poll well. ==
It is weird that “do things people like” can only be described through the lens of political ambition, and not just as “doing your job.” Not trying to pick on Rich in particular (as he has a history of getting to the nuts and bolts of things in a way that many cable news talking heads never will), but this is mostly a gripe about how news entities cover politics as a whole.
Everything is about the theater and the races 99% of the time, and not on how policies have real world impacts on millions and millions of people.
- DuPage Saint - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 10:59 am:
In for a dime in for a dollar Jump in and go all ought. I think he was a very good governor and would like him to stay but he might as well go all in. Why risk some department screw up that hurts him? He can wrap himself in flag and claim he is duty calls and seriously point to his record.
I guess I am a real RINO born and raised here and like Rich I intend to stay gee and be buried here if this state that bad I don’t know what keeps you here
- Grandson of Man - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 11:15 am:
“This state is far too important, and its position has long been far too precarious to sacrifice it on the altar of national ambition.”
A great line and very true. Illinois has improved because of JB: responsible budgets, multiple credit upgrades, infrastructure, etc. It’s terrible to backslide. However, would assume Illinois faces a greater threat from the current president and a Republican-controlled national government than anyone Pritzker would pick to replace him.
- HOW? - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 11:18 am:
Can he run for president as Governor?
An inmate dies, a blow up at DCFS, all turns into
a commercial - where is the upside to that?
- Norseman - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 11:37 am:
JS Mill + 1.
The Governor needs to remember the old adage: Good Government is Good Politics.
- TJ - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 11:44 am:
== I pity the individuals who aspire to this. ==
Oh no, someone actually likes Illinois. What an affront.
/s
- Alton Sinkhole - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 11:54 am:
==I pity the individuals who aspire to this.==
Live and let live. Wasn’t born in IL but moved here as quick as I can and really don’t plan on leaving. I’m happy here, you’re happy wherever you are. Who cares?
- Flapdoodle - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 11:59 am:
A thought-provoking essay, Rich. One thought it provoked for me is to ask whether JB could be as successful in DC as he has been in Springfield. In Springfield he has the advantage of super majorities in the legislature, a reliably blue electorate, and regional media coverage. By force of character and access to resources, he has no rival as the big dog in current state politics.
None of these conditions will hold in DC. Both houses of Congress will likely continue to be narrowly divided and highly factionalized, and many members will have independent power bases far different from a state legislature. The media scrutiny will be far more pervasive than anything JB has so far experienced. Further, the next president will need to lead the recovery from the destruction wrought by the current administration, and as Rich notes, JB’s record with state agencies has been largely to hold the line. That response will not wash in a post-MAGA presidency.
I have no doubt JB would be an effective campaigner and believe might be an adequate president in normal times, but times will not be normal for many years to come. I will vote for him if he is the Democratic candidate, but that applies to any Democratic candidate given the ruinous conduct of the current GOP. But at this point, I’d rather see him remain governor and continue his good work for Illinois.
- Suburban Dad - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 12:18 pm:
If he runs for re-elect in 2026, who should he pick for a running mate? Curious on what people think.
- Remember the Alamo II - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 12:26 pm:
Marty Moylan. Can you imagine the Marty Parties at the Governor’s mansion?
- Steve - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 12:29 pm:
-But if Pritzker’s governance does start slipping because he’s running for higher office-
I doubt JB will have a problem being Governor and running for president. He seems pretty organized.
- observer - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 12:31 pm:
Some would argue the agencies are already seeing the impact of the Governor’s future plans. Most of the programs highlighted by the Governor in his early days are falling off the tracks.
- Captain Obvious - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 12:31 pm:
Agencies are not falling into a state of further disrepair. This is your standard for acceptable governance? Some watchdog. I think JB should fish or cut bait here. Run for president and leave the governorship in 2026 for someone will devote full attention to improving on not falling into further disrepair or run for reelection and serve out the whole term doing it himself.
- Jibba - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 12:35 pm:
Well said, Rich. A top notch staff would be able to keep things running with regular meetings, virtual or not. And yay for Illinois, me too.
As for the right wing echo chamber, every accusation is a confession with those people.
- It's always Sunny in Illinois - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 1:49 pm:
Pritzker’s inherited checkbook and ongoing anti Trump rhetoric gets him in the door…..but……His Illinois record….unemployment…..tax increases….lost population….sanctuary policies…. and states ongoing fiscal calamities with the overgenerous underfunded pensions and oh yes never ending Chicago woes ….plus at this point he’s doing nothing nothing but reciting the Biden/Harris campaign talking points…..makes him a meh…..once there is a closer look nationally
- Rich Miller - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 1:53 pm:
===His Illinois record===
Maybe it matters, maybe it doesn’t. Trump’s multiple business failures and bankruptcies didn’t appear to hurt him.
- Levois - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 4:11 pm:
I probably won’t vote for him, but if he runs for President good on him. What about 2026 for Governor is what I say? Is he running for President before he runs for re-election?
- Dotnonymous x - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 7:28 pm:
-I probably won’t vote for him… -
I’ll call the Governor, immediately…He likes to hear bad news quickly.