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Chicago Tribune
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Letters to the Editor: Pritzker's ‘reckless' GOP attack shows he's no national leader
As the founder of Awake Illinois, a nonprofit advocating for ethical governance, I am compelled to condemn Gov. J.B. Pritzker's reckless remarks at the New Hampshire Democratic Party's McIntyre-Shaheen 100 Club Dinner on April 27. This letter adapts a statement from Awake Illinois, reflecting my personal concerns and outlook. Pritzker's claim that 'Republicans cannot know a moment of peace' is a direct attack on free speech and civic engagement, endangering the principles that ensure open participation in public life. His call for 'mass protests, mobilization and disruption' threatens millions of Americans, including families Awake Illinois represents, with intimidation for their beliefs. This rhetoric risks inciting unrest, and his 'peaceful protest' defense does not undo the harm of his provocative words. This hits close to home in Illinois, where my organization is fighting discriminatory practices. Awake Illinois recently filed two federal civil rights complaints against the Illinois State Board of Education: one under Title VI for race-based teacher programming and another under Title IX for permitting a male in female bathrooms (Valley View School District 365), compromising student safety and fairness in K-12 schools. Pritzker's inflammatory speech fostered a toxic environment, evident when a speaker likened me and Moms for Liberty to executed Nazi propagandist Julius Streicher, as noted in our X post on April 28. This vile smear wrongly demonizes advocates like me and trivializes the Holocaust, chilling free expression. Pritzker's reckless comments and divisive rhetoric in New Hampshire are a critical misstep in his pursuit of national political ambition. As a parent and independent who successfully sued Pritzker in 2021 over his unlawful mandates, I have witnessed his radical governance firsthand. He also champions policies known as 'gender-affirming care' — policies other countries have halted and that many parents, including myself, have come to learn are actually mutilation and sterilization of vulnerable kids. He rejects Title IX protections and supports males in female private spaces and sports teams. His veer to the far left, alienating moderates and independents, has exposed the fragility of his national appeal. By doubling down on polarizing rhetoric and failing to unite Illinoisans, he is undermining his credibility as a viable national leader. I doubt Pritzker will retract his comments, apologize or denounce the Nazi comparison. Illinois needs unifying leadership, not division. At Awake Illinois, our motto, 'We Cannot Be Cancelled,' drives our resolve to continue advocating. I invite your readers to join me in forging a future where Illinoisans' families and freedoms thrive, undaunted by Pritzker's intimidation.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pritzker's Trump posture ramps up 2028 chatter
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) is positioning himself as one of President Trump's loudest critics within the Democratic Party, stirring more speculation around his own future political ambitions. Pritzker used a speech in New Hampshire last month to attack Trump and his administration, describing the president as someone 'who claims to love America but who hates our military' while also calling out the 'do-nothing' members of his party. Pritzker further dialed up the heat this week when his campaign announced it would roll out a video series seeking to show how the Trump administration has negatively impacted Illinois residents. The moves have only heightened the profile of Pritzker, who has increasingly been seen as a likely 2028 contender, but also come as the party remains divided over how to take on Trump. 'I think it's a one-two punch,' said Ray Buckley, chair of the New Hampshire Democratic Party. 'He not only takes on Trump, he also lays out an effective message that we support our values, we stand up for our values, that we speak for those who need a voice, we don't leave anybody behind,' he continued. Pritzker has been a fixture in Democratic politics even before he became governor, but it's been his vocal criticism of Trump, coupled more recently with his prescription to Democrats on how to take on the president and Republicans in Congress, that has made him stand out in the party and further elevated his profile. During his State of the State address in February, he suggested there were parallels between the current political moment and the initial moments leading to Nazi Germany. He ramped up those attacks more recently when he used his speech at the New Hampshire Democratic Party's McIntyre-Shaheen 100-Club Dinner to criticize members of Trump's Cabinet and reporting that Trump had referred to members of the military as 'suckers' and 'losers.' His campaign released the first video of a larger series showcasing Illinoisans negatively impacted by Trump, and during an interview on late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel's show this week, Pritzker described Trump as an 'authoritarian.' Pritzker's February address and speech in New Hampshire, in particular, angered Republicans. Illinois GOP Chair Kathy Salvi in a statement described his remarks as 'inflammatory and dangerous speech,' while White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller suggested they 'could be construed as inciting violence.' Pritzker said earlier this week his speech 'has nothing to do with violence' and said Miller was taking his speech out of context. Pritzker's team says the Illinois governor's posture toward Trump is neither new nor inauthentic. Jordan Abudayyeh of Pritzker's campaign said the governor 'knows what to expect from Donald Trump,' noting that Pritzker was first elected during the latter half of Trump's first term in office. She mentioned as an example how the Trump administration sent the governor's team the wrong supplies for the state to battle the COVID-19 pandemic after Pritzker had offered Trump praise on the media circuit. 'It's not like the political winds shifted, and now JB Pritzker has decided this is a lane he's carved out,' she said. 'In this moment is very much a person who spent his life working with Holocaust survivors to build the Holocaust Museum,' she said. 'He is a student of history, and he feels very deeply that there is a moral obligation for those who work in leadership positions to speak up in these moments, because when history looks back at us, people are going to ask what you said in those moments and what you did.' Some argue Pritzker is dialing into a rhetoric that clearly resonates with Democrats around the current political environment. 'He's meeting the Democratic base where it is,' said Alex Conant, a Republican strategist who worked on Secretary of State Marco Rubio's 2016 presidential campaign. 'The Democratic base is outraged by Trump, and Pritzker wants to tap into that,' he added. At the same time, Conant suggested he didn't believe Pritzker's rhetoric drawing parallels between the lead-up to Nazi Germany and the current political moment would appeal to most Americans and believed 'he's saying the sorts of things he feels like he needs to say to break through.' Meanwhile, some Democrats are lamenting that too few members of the party are aggressively going after the president. 'Taking the fight to Trump should not be considered bold within the Democratic Party,' Adam Green, co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee. 'It should be the norm or the bare minimum.' The party has remained at odds over how to handle Trump and his administration. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), who initially positioned himself as a vocal critic of Trump and who has largely been floated as a 2028 contender, has since made overtures to the president as the governor looked to secure disaster relief for the Los Angeles wildfires. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D), another potential 2028 hopeful, has made several appearances in the White House or alongside Trump, walking a fine line between criticizing him and working with him when needed. She appeared alongside him this week and scored a win with the announcement of a new fighter jet mission at a Michigan air base. Even Hill leadership has remained torn at times over how to handle Trump. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) ignited a firestorm within his party in March after he and other Senate Democrats helped Republicans proceed with a GOP-backed continuing resolution to fund the government, a reversal after Schumer had said the party would not be supporting Republicans' government spending bill. Meanwhile, progressive populists Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) have been amassing large crowds in their 'Fighting Oligarchy' tour, which has channeled anti-Trump energy. 'In the last few months, the main divide in the Democratic Party has … not been between left and moderate. It's between those who are bold fighters and those who are passive and not living up to the moment,' Green said. While Democrats like Pritzker's take-it-to-Trump approach, some wonder if the Illinois Democrat is the party's best messenger, seeing as he himself is a billionaire. 'Him attacking Trump, sure, it can work now, but in a … presidential primary, I've never seen Democratic primary voters really warm up to a very, very wealthy candidate in that regard,' said Ben Tulchin, a Democratic pollster whose clients have included Newsom and Sanders during his presidential campaigns. Pritzker's team believes the Illinois governor is able to bridge that gap with voters, saying his values match his record. Abudayyeh noted legislation signed that raised the state minimum wage to $15 and his efforts to try to pass a graduated state income tax, though the ballot measure failed in 2020. Some progressives believe Pritzker's wealth could even be an asset as he makes the case against Trump. 'Gov. Pritzker could make himself stand out if he models FDR's example of being a traitor to his class and uses his billionaire status as extra credibility to criticize Elon Musk and other billionaires calling the shots and looting the American people under Trump's government,' Green said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
04-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Pritzker's Trump posture ramps up 2028 chatter
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) is positioning himself as one of President Trump's loudest critics within the Democratic Party, stirring more speculation around his own future political ambitions. Pritzker used a speech in New Hampshire last month to attack Trump and his administration, describing the president as someone 'who claims to love America but who hates our military' while also calling out the 'do-nothing' members of his party. Pritzker further dialed up the heat this week when his campaign announced it would roll out a video series seeking to show how the Trump administration has negatively impacted Illinois residents. The moves have only heightened the profile of Pritzker, who has increasingly been seen as a likely 2028 contender, but also come as the party remains divided over how to take on Trump. 'I think it's a one-two punch,' said Ray Buckley, chair of the New Hampshire Democratic Party. 'He not only takes on Trump, he also lays out an effective message that we support our values, we stand up for our values, that we speak for those who need a voice, we don't leave anybody behind,' he continued. Pritzker has been a fixture in Democratic politics even before he became governor, but it's been his vocal criticism of Trump, coupled more recently with his prescription to Democrats on how to take on the president and Republicans in Congress, that has made him stand out in the party and further elevated his profile. During his State of the State address in February, he suggested there were parallels between the current political moment and the initial moments leading to Nazi Germany. He ramped up those attacks more recently when he used his speech at the New Hampshire Democratic Party's McIntyre-Shaheen 100-Club Dinner to criticize members of Trump's Cabinet and reporting that Trump had referred to members of the military as 'suckers' and 'losers.' His campaign released the first video of a larger series showcasing Illinoisans negatively impacted by Trump, and during an interview on late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel's show this week, Pritzker described Trump as an 'authoritarian.' Pritzker's February address and speech in New Hampshire, in particular, angered Republicans. Illinois GOP Chair Kathy Salvi in a statement described his remarks as 'inflammatory and dangerous speech,' while White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller suggested they 'could be construed as inciting violence.' Pritzker said earlier this week his speech 'has nothing to do with violence' and said Miller was taking his speech out of context. Pritzker's team says the Illinois governor's posture toward Trump is neither new nor inauthentic. Jordan Abudayyeh of Pritzker's campaign said the governor 'knows what to expect from Donald Trump,' noting that Pritzker was first elected during the latter half of Trump's first term in office. She mentioned as an example how the Trump administration sent the governor's team the wrong supplies for the state to battle the COVID-19 pandemic after Pritzker had offered Trump praise on the media circuit. 'It's not like the political winds shifted, and now JB Pritzker has decided this is a lane he's carved out,' she said. 'In this moment is very much a person who spent his life working with Holocaust survivors to build the Holocaust Museum,' she said. 'He is a student of history, and he feels very deeply that there is a moral obligation for those who work in leadership positions to speak up in these moments, because when history looks back at us, people are going to ask what you said in those moments and what you did.' Some argue Pritzker is dialing into a rhetoric that clearly resonates with Democrats around the current political environment. 'He's meeting the Democratic base where it is,' said Alex Conant, a Republican strategist who worked on Secretary of State Marco Rubio's 2016 presidential campaign. 'The Democratic base is outraged by Trump, and Pritzker wants to tap into that,' he added. At the same time, Conant suggested he didn't believe Pritzker's rhetoric drawing parallels between the lead-up to Nazi Germany and the current political moment would appeal to most Americans and believed 'he's saying the sorts of things he feels like he needs to say to break through.' Meanwhile, some Democrats are lamenting that too few members of the party are aggressively going after the president. 'Taking the fight to Trump should not be considered bold within the Democratic Party,' Adam Green, co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee. 'It should be the norm or the bare minimum.' The party has remained at odds over how to handle Trump and his administration. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), who initially positioned himself as a vocal critic of Trump and who has largely been floated as a 2028 contender, has since made overtures to the president as the governor looked to secure disaster relief for the Los Angeles wildfires. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D), another potential 2028 hopeful, has made several appearances in the White House or alongside Trump, walking a fine line between criticizing him and working with him when needed. She appeared alongside him this week and scored a win with the announcement of a new fighter jet mission at a Michigan air base. Even Hill leadership has remained torn at times over how to handle Trump. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) ignited a firestorm within his party in March after he and other Senate Democrats helped Republicans proceed with a GOP-backed continuing resolution to fund the government, a reversal after Schumer had said the party would not be supporting Republicans' government spending bill. Meanwhile, progressive populists Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) have been amassing large crowds in their 'Fighting Oligarchy' tour, which has channeled anti-Trump energy. 'In the last few months, the main divide in the Democratic Party has … not been between left and moderate. It's between those who are bold fighters and those who are passive and not living up to the moment,' Green said. While Democrats like Pritzker's take-it-to-Trump approach, some wonder if the Illinois Democrat is the party's best messenger, seeing as he himself is a billionaire. 'Him attacking Trump, sure, it can work now, but in a … presidential primary, I've never seen Democratic primary voters really warm up to a very, very wealthy candidate in that regard,' said Ben Tulchin, a Democratic pollster whose clients have included Newsom and Sanders during his presidential campaigns. Pritzker's team believes the Illinois governor is able to bridge that gap with voters, saying his values match his record. Abudayyeh noted legislation signed that raised the state minimum wage to $15 and his efforts to try to pass a graduated state income tax, though the ballot measure failed in 2020. Some progressives believe Pritzker's wealth could even be an asset as he makes the case against Trump. 'Gov. Pritzker could make himself stand out if he models FDR's example of being a traitor to his class and uses his billionaire status as extra credibility to criticize Elon Musk and other billionaires calling the shots and looting the American people under Trump's government,' Green said.
New York Post
02-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Rep. Mikie Sherrill floats impeaching Trump a third time — as she runs for NJ governor
Rep. Mikie Sherrill suggested last week that a third impeachment of President Trump could be the only way to thwart Republicans after the 2026 midterms in a bid to shore up support for her New Jersey gubernatorial run. 'I think you have to test yourself. I think it's not enough to take on one tough fight. I think there's a lot of tough fights going on,' Sherrill (D-NJ) told supporters during an event at Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company Station 34 in Manchester Township April 26. 'When I impeached the president the first time — who knew I would ever be saying–' she began at one point. 'Do it again,' one attendee interjected, prompting laughter from the town hall audience. 'Yeah, exactly. We'll see,' she replied. 'Maybe we'll go for the trifecta.' 5 'Maybe we'll go for the trifecta,' Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) said of impeaching President Trump again. Josh Christenson/NY Post 'But when I impeached him the first time, I thought I would probably lose my seat after that because of my district,' she continued. Sherill's verbal blows followed a call for Democrats to take to the streets in mass demonstrations from Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, who recently hinted at a 2028 presidential bid by traveling to an early primary state. 'Never before in my life have I called for mass protests, for mobilization, for disruption. But I am now,' Pritzker said at the New Hampshire Democratic Party's McIntyre-Shaheen 100 Club Dinner on Sunday. 5 Sherrill suggested a 'trifecta' impeachment of President Trump could be the only way to thwart Republicans' agenda after the 2026 midterms. AP 'These Republicans cannot know a moment of peace,' he told guests. 'They have to understand that we will fight their cruelty with every megaphone and microphone that we have.' On Monday, Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.) filed seven articles of impeachment against Trump for not facilitating the return of alleged MS-13 gang member Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the US — after he was deported to El Salvador — and eliminating federal programs without congressional authorization, among other alleged high crimes and misdemeanors. Sherrill, 52, is in a tough Democratic primary fight with fellow New Jersey Rep. Josh Gottheimer, with internal polls from both campaigns showing they are leading the pack. 5 The verbal attacks follow a call for the Democratic Party to take to the streets in massive demonstrations from Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, who recently hinted at a 2028 presidential bid by traveling to an early primary state. REUTERS Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, former Montclair mayor and president of the New Jersey Education Association Sean Spiller and ex-state Senate president Stephen Sweeney are also in the running. In mid-April, Sherrill nabbed 25% support from Garden State voters, Gottheimer drew 15%, Fulop and Baraka had 13%, Spiller got 12% and Sweeney received 6%, according to an internal Sherrill campaign poll conducted by the Global Strategy Group. Sherrill was ahead by five percentage points, 19% to 14%, in a Gottheimer campaign internal poll released April 24, followed by Fulop (13%), Baraka (11%), Spiller (11%) and Sweeney (5%). 5 On Monday, Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.) also filed seven articles of impeachment against Trump for not facilitating the return of alleged MS-13 gang member Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the US, among other alleged high crimes and misdemeanors. The New Jersey Democratic primary will be held June 10. Sherrill, whose House district comprises parts of suburban Morris, Essex and Passaic counties, is a former Navy pilot and federal prosecutor seeking to keep her state in Democratic control with Gov. Phil Murphy term-limited. In her campaign launch last November, she highlighted how her candidacy would be focused on helping to 'make life more affordable for hardworking New Jerseyans, from health care to groceries to child care,' while calling for her state to be 'the gold standard for protecting rights and freedoms. 'We know they'll be under attack from Donald Trump's Washington,' she claimed. 'Because in New Jersey, we love our country, we're proud of our state, and we value our freedoms.' 5 Sherrill, whose district comprises parts of Morris, Essex and Passaic counties in the House, is a former Navy pilot and federal prosecutor seeking to keep her state in Democratic control with Gov. Phil Murphy term-limited. AP In her April 26 appearance, she also dished on how blue state-led efforts would be able to counter Trump's agenda. 'I was on the floor on January 6th. And he has no intention of leaving in four years — zero,' Sherrill said two days after the Trump Organization trolled its critics by selling bright, red 'Trump 2028' hats for $50 a pop in its online store. Trump, 78, told NBC News in March that he was 'not joking' about bending the constitutional rules to run for a third term, but has been rebuffed by Republicans in Congress. 'It's up to, again, all of us to make sure that we are there, mobilizing, bringing people together as he's trying to divide us apart, finding ways around and, kind of, to block and tackle in the states,' Sherrill said. 'I have to tell you it's all down to federalism, in my mind. It's down to the states — and taking them to court as they're trying to meddle in our election system.' Reps for Sherrill's gubernatorial campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pritzker on Trump: Everyone understands ‘we've got an authoritarian in office'
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) heavily criticized President Trump during a late-night TV interview Thursday, calling him an unchecked 'authoritarian.' 'I think everybody understands that at this point, we've got an authoritarian in office,' Pritzker said during an appearance on ABC's 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' with Jimmy Kimmel. 'He's essentially tearing apart the things that really matter to working families across the United States, and nobody's stopping him.' 'Congress is under the control of his party, and they're all paying homage to him at all times — no one's willing to break with him,' he added. Pritzker drew national attention by calling for mass protests of Trump's administration and allies during a speech at the New Hampshire Democratic Party's McIntyre-Shaheen 100 Club Dinner on Sunday. 'These Republicans cannot know a moment of peace,' he told the gathering. 'They have to 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,' the Illinois Democrat added. The White House responded to the call to action, accusing Pritzker of encouraging violent attacks. 'His comments, if nothing else, could be construed as inciting violence,' Stephen Miller, a top Trump aide, told reporters at the White House on Monday, recalling the two thwarted assassination attempts against the president during his time on the campaign trail. 'People are engaging in rhetoric and behavior that puts the lives of public servants in danger, puts the lives of conservative Americans in danger.' But Prizker reiterated his protest call during his discussion with Kimmel. 'The only thing, in my view, that we really can do on a national level is let them know about our displeasure,' the governor said. 'If [members of Congress] don't know how much resistance there is out there in their own districts, then they're just going to keep following Donald Trump and doing whatever he wants, so we've got to be out there — loud, proud, you know, stand up, speak out.' Trump has relentlessly attacked Pritzker for his discernible weight. During a campaign rally in Ohio last year, he accused the governor leader of being 'too busy eating' to lead the state and riffed on how many hamburgers he would order. 'He wants to eat all the time,' the president said to laughs from the crowd. Pritzker, a billionaire whose family owns the Hyatt hotel chain, said he is unbothered by Trump's taunting. 'Frankly, that's how you know he's afraid of you,' he told Kimmel on Thursday. The Illinois leader first met Trump in late 2018, during Trump's first term, when the president invited a group of incoming governors to the White House. Pritzker had just won the Illinois gubernatorial election with nearly 55 percent of the vote, campaigning heavily on attacking Trump. 'I have to say, I contemplated whether to go or not,' he recalled in the late-night interview. 'I had run an entire campaign where every chance I got — in fact, I started a lot of my speeches by saying, 'Everything we care about is under siege by racist, misogynist, homophobic, xenophobic president in the United States.'' He added, however, that the meeting was cordial. 'Oddly, he spent a lot of time talking to me, you know, seemingly interested in being my friend, which was very odd,' Pritzker said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
