Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is calling on his state’s citizens to join him in pushing back against former President Donald Trump’s latest immigration crackdown. This call to action follows a contentious exchange on social media. Pritzker’s comments came in response to Trump’s rants on Truth Social, where he criticized both the governor and the city of Chicago. The deepening conflict among the states further reveals a growing schism between state governance and federal state enforcement policy.
In response to Trump’s remarks, Pritzker focused on reminding Trump that if he ever wants to send troops to Chicago, he should call first. “If he wants to send troops, he should call. I’ve been very clear about what it is that we’d like help with,” Pritzker stated. He shared his concerns about the militarization of police forces and military troops on our streets. He argued that this would be an invasion, not a valid aggressive response to criminality.
In fact, Pritzker vehemently opposed many of Trump’s immigration stances. He explained how these policies disproportionately punish cities led by Democrats, such as Washington D.C. and Los Angeles. He suggested that Trump is up to something, saying, “In the back of their minds, they’re doing this. If they really deploy US troops, that would be an invasion. The governor raised the alarm on what these overtly partisan actions mean for the integrity of our electoral process. He argued that Trump’s goals could range from stopping the 2026 elections to attempting to take them over.
These remarks from the governor came directly in response to Kristi Noem, Governor of South Dakota. She slammed Illinois for failing to fully support law enforcement’s push for comprehensive enforcement engagement and efforts. Pritzker was right to push back against these claims and stand firm that Illinois will remain in control of its own fate. “Any kind of troops on the streets of an American city don’t belong unless there is an insurrection, unless there is truly an emergency,” he reiterated.
Moreover, Pritzker announced a directive prohibiting the Chicago police from assisting federal authorities with civil immigration enforcement or related patrols. This decision is a clear demonstration of his administration’s dedication to defending residents’ rights in the face of increasing federal actions that threaten those rights. He asserted, “People have a right to their First Amendment … and we protect that too in the city of Chicago.”
The political tension escalated further when Trump responded via social media, labeling Pritzker as “the weak and pathetic Governor of Illinois.” He took aim at what Pritzker had proposed to prevent crime overall, implying that Pritzker was just doing it wrong.
“JB Pritzker, the weak and pathetic Governor of Illinois, just said that he doesn’t need help in preventing CRIME. He is CRAZY!!! He better straighten it out, FAST, or we’re coming!” – Donald Trump
Pritzker’s comments come at a time when White House officials are suggesting that they plan to increase enforcement efforts in Chicago. This is just the latest in their series of nationwide immigration crackdowns. The governor’s statements illustrate growing frustration with the poor communication from federal authorities over their plans and intentions. “They should be coordinating with local law enforcement, telling us when and where they’re coming, and whether it’s ICE, ATF, or another agency,” he stated.
As this political showdown unfolds, it underscores a deepening rift between state governors and federal immigration policy under the Trump administration. The use of autonomous police units raises important questions about state sovereignty and public safety. They underscore the balance of power between local and federal authorities.