* Gov. JB Pritzker yesterday…
To my fellow governors across the nation who would consider pulling your National Guard from their duties at home to come into my state against the wishes of its elected representatives and its people: You would be failing your constituents and your country.
Cooperation and coordination between our states is vital to the fabric of our nation, and it benefits us all. Any action undercutting that and violating the sacred sovereignty of our state to cater to the ego of a dictator will be responded to. The state of Illinois is ready to stand against this military deployment with every peaceful tool we have. We will see the Trump administration in court. We will use every lever at our disposal to protect the people of Illinois and their rights.
* He also aimed this at the federal government…
You can delay justice for a time, but history shows you cannot prevent it from finding you eventually. If you hurt my people, nothing will stop me, not time or political circumstance from making sure that you face justice under our constitutional rule of law.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 11:00 am:
A bit much. Sacred state sovereignty? We were pretty firm on the national union side, remember?
- Payback - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 11:03 am:
Pritzker’s posturing is starting to generate some pops in the national news, I’ll give him that. This morning CNN had an article about our bloviating governor. Pritzker’s whole “standing in the schoolhouse door” shtick is the most phoney act I’ve seen in Illinois politics. This from a guy with full time state police bodyguards. Get real.
- Streator Curmudgeon - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 11:06 am:
“You can delay justice for a time, but history shows you cannot prevent it from finding you eventually.”
I wish this were true. Trump successfully prevented justice from finding him for Jan. 6. He prevented it from finding him for misappropriating classified documents. Thanks to the Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential immunity, it will not find him for anything he does in office.
Of course this is all politics, just as Trump’s battle with possible 2028 presidential contender Gavin Newsom is all politics.
The GOP is moving relentlessly toward one-party control of the U.S., and while I admire Pritzker’s opposition, we’ll see what effective recourse Illinois has to this deployment.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 11:08 am:
===A bit much. Sacred state sovereignty? We were pretty firm on the national union side, remember? ===
From you almost exactly a year ago: “I like our flag. There is nothing obviously wrong with it unlike some states. I would want to keep it.”
https://capitolfax.com/2024/08/28/illinois-opens-contest-to-redesign-state-flag/#comment-13732631
Have you ever looked at the state flag you say you hold dear?
Because if you did, you would’ve seen it has the state motto on it, which is: “State Sovereignty, National Union”
Sheesh.
- Franklin - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 11:10 am:
Pritzker’s presidential campaign might have to report this as an in-kind contribution from Trump.
- H-W - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 11:11 am:
@ Payback
Would it be safe to say you disagree with Pritzker’s position, and you welcome external military forces entering our state and taking over our governmental responsibilities?
I know a lot of people who don’t like Pritzker (I live in West Central Illinois, where signage from the first term still remains in yards). But suggesting that a Governor of Illinois should not “stand in the schoolhouse door” to prevent other states from invading and intervening in the affairs of our state, well that just crazy talk. I believe that’s the stuff of civil wars.
- Johnny B - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 11:12 am:
No surprise why approval for Democrats is cratering nationally
Just photo ops and cable new hits with tough talk as the face of the resistance , instead of asking for Federal help to solve the huge problem gangs, guns and drug trafficking
The day before thieves steal over $100 K from a Nordstrom in broad daylight and drive away in stolen luxury vehicles
No acknowledgement of the huge issues facing Illinois
Just Pollyanna nonsense about everything is fine
- Trail Guide - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 11:14 am:
If you come for my people?
My word that is over the top. But it gets him on TV and must be poll tested or something.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 11:14 am:
===instead of asking for Federal help to solve===
There was plenty of that. Always has been. What they oppose is sending in troops.
Try to live in reality.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 11:19 am:
==Just photo ops and cable new hits with tough talk==
Do you not hear the hypocrisy in what you write? This is Donald Trump every single day.
==Just Pollyanna nonsense about everything is fine==
The only people saying that are partisan hacks like you trying to put words in other people’s mouths. You can be against sending in the military without suggesting everything is fine. If you want a military takeover then go live in a dictatorship. Wait, we already are.
- ArchPundit - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 11:24 am:
The US Military is supposed to be constrained by posse comitatus and not involved in domestic law enforcement. Is there some situation that requires us to break down that particular barrier? Crime is falling significantly since 2020 and is far lower than in the 1970s-1990s so what is the crisis?
Is there too much crime? Sure. But the trends are working through violence intervention and increased services. What is it that the feds are bringing that is valuable? People standing on the street corner? THey aren’t coordinating with local police agencies and feds aren’t equipped to deal with your average street crime so what do you think is being accomplished?
- BE - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 11:26 am:
==instead of asking for Federal help to solve the huge problem gangs, guns and drug trafficking==
There was help asked for that, in the filing for various fed grants for police and anti-violence initiatives. Trump cut them.
Federal help is not having military stationed in tourist spots. It’s helping the systems we are working with. But Trump has cut them, along with cutting health care and food help.
- *ducks* - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 11:30 am:
Did people read the second statement as “if I ever get to the big chair I’ll settle family business”? I am genuinely asking. I don’t know how it can be construed another way.
- Iggy - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 11:35 am:
Trump is an authoritarian dictator wannabe whose mode of operation is chaos.
That said, Chicago is an easy mark in light of a clueless Mayor, a CPS fiscal calamity, transit collapse and crime in too many neighborhoods seemingly unchecked despite statistics. When one lives in a drug dealer, gang prominent, dangerous area 24/7, desperation for help is real.
The tough talk from both sides has zero positive impact for those afraid to leave their home after dark while shielding their children from the visible bad actors on every corner.
- Steve - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 11:35 am:
I will remember the phrase “sacred sovereignty” when and if Illinois comes begging to the federal government for a public pension bailout.
- Next Level - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 11:40 am:
==This is Donald Trump every single day==
Sir, this is a Wendys…. Putting the whataboutism aside, it’s possible to criticize the Governer while also disliking the President. It’s not an either or situation. Not everything is hyperpartisanship.
- I-55 Fanatic - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 11:41 am:
I wonder what these “levers” actually are. I mean really… if Trump does this, obviously the state will sue. But then what? The courts are functionally powerless to stop it, and Congress is nonexistent. I genuinely don’t know what other meaningful levers of recourse a Governor *actually* has in this situation. Standing in front a Humvee?
- Emily Booth - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 11:43 am:
I love how JB is fighting back. Put your dukes up, DT. And, I loved how the press conference was staged in front of TT. DT loves any kind of attention. Good move. He’s already starting to walk back.
- GC - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 11:46 am:
Rich coming at 3D Checkers with the steel chair! My GOD!
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 11:46 am:
==comes begging to the federal government for a public pension bailout.==
Where do you get this garbage from?
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 11:48 am:
===comes begging to the federal government for a public pension bailout===
lol
- Oklahoma - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 11:48 am:
Hmmm, and all while our future lieutenant governor is deployed with the National Guard? (Snark)
- Moe Berg - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 11:53 am:
@ *ducks* - you are “genuinely asking” if what Pritzker really meant was that he’s going to have his political enemies *murdered*???
If so, please put away your QAnon secret meanings decoder ring, turn off Fox “News,” delete your Facebook account and go touch grass.
- JS Mill - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 11:59 am:
=when and if Illinois comes begging to the federal government for a public pension bailout.=
This issue has been ongoing for more than 50 years now. And what makes you think Illinois would ask this president for anything like a bail out? Lol.
=Sacred state sovereignty?=
I remember when this president said he was returning decisions to the states. It was only a few months ago. How is that actually working?
Federalism allows the states powers not granted to the federal government, one of them involves the use of federal troops. Pritzker is correct.
- ArchPundit - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 12:04 pm:
===. I don’t know how it can be construed another way.
Did you read it to the end: If you hurt my people, nothing will stop me, not time or political circumstance from making sure that you face justice under our constitutional rule of law.
He talks about justice under our constitutional rule of law in the statement. C’mon man.
- P. - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 12:06 pm:
Lol at Rich’s receipts about the state flag. Not sure I’ve seen a comments section murder like that in a minute. Always remember to take a breath it could be your last lmao.
- Down South - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 12:22 pm:
Where are all the “Don’t Tread On Me” people?
- Huh? - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 12:25 pm:
===Where are all the “Don’t Tread On Me” people?===
Waving their tramp flags.
- Jerry - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 12:31 pm:
The city and state have asked for money to fight crime. Now it has been cut. Tanks on Michigan Ave with troops drinking caramel macchiatos from the Roastery are not helpful.
- Huh? - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 12:37 pm:
I remember crossing the national guard line in Grant Park during the 1968 Democratic convention. It wasn’t a very pleasant experience.
Remember Kent State massacre in 1970.
Calling out the national guard isn’t going to solve anything.
- Candy Dogood - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 12:57 pm:
===You would be failing your constituents and your country. ===
They’re also failing the people that get deployed for this kind of nonsense.
- Flip the Script - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 12:58 pm:
Wasn’t an Illinois Secretary of State responsible for styling the State Seal in such a way that “National Union” and “State Sovereignty” were reversed in order? I think that was the case.
- Johnny B - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 12:58 pm:
It might be unprecedented but it is perfectly legal for the President to deploy the National Guard to Chicago and other cities without approval of the Mayor or Governor
https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/amp/rcna227110
- Norseman - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 1:05 pm:
Nice harrumph speech. (Give us a LOUD harrumph, harrumph)
- Norseman - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 1:11 pm:
=== it is perfectly legal ===
Is it? There are conditions for it to be legal. Trump is going to try and create a false narrative to claim these conditions are met, a court will decide whether to buy the baloney.
- Rudy’s teeth - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 1:36 pm:
If the city of Chicago is so dangerous, why did Darren Bailey park his keister at the Hancock during his failed campaign for governor?
For all the folks including the president remarking about JB’s girth, has former candidate Bailey looked in a mirror lately?
Aside from wearing a facsimile of Abraham Lincoln’s pants, Bailey has been unable to button a suit jacket in years.
- JS Mill - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 1:40 pm:
=It might be unprecedented but it is perfectly legal for the President to deploy the National Guard to Chicago…=
“In that scenario, Trump is relying on Title 10 of the U.S. Code, which allows the president to take control of National Guard troops if the country is facing an invasion or rebellion or the president is “unable with the regular forces” to enforce the law.
He could also potentially invoke the 1972 Insurrection Act to send in the National Guard or active-duty troops, over a governor’s objections, to enforce federal laws and to suppress insurrections or rebellions there.”
None of those scenarios is currently happening. S0, in terms of “legal” it is not legal for trump to send as outlined in the Posse Comitatus Act which outlawed the use of military forces for domestic law enforcement.
I literally learned this in high school.
In this case, it is posing not law enforcement but I digress.
- smile politely - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 1:40 pm:
- Down South - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 12:22 pm:
Where are all the “Don’t Tread On Me” people?
Rich does not allow for dissent from his opinion. They are all over at Second City Cop
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 1:49 pm:
===None of those scenarios is currently happening===
They successfully made the “unable with the regular forces” argument in California.
- Incandenza - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 1:54 pm:
=== Where are all the “Don’t Tread On Me” people? ===
Most of these people had an asterisk to that flag that they felt was implied and looks something like this: “Don’t tread on me: tread on those other people I personally don’t like”
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 1:58 pm:
===Rich does not allow for dissent from his opinion===
No, I just really don’t like goofballs, of which you’ve been one for a long time.
- ArchPundit - Tuesday, Aug 26, 25 @ 2:01 pm:
===They successfully made the “unable with the regular forces” argument in California.
We haven’t had a ruling from Breyer on it yet though I wouldn’t doubt if the Supremes call it moot. That said, the Feds could only use forces to protect buildings and some units, but it’s a big difference of protecting a federal building no one is threatening compared to occupying the city.