Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker expressed concerns regarding President Donald Trump's potential reactions amid the escalating controversy surrounding documents linking him to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In an interview, Pritzker stated, "My great fear, of course, is that with the release of that information, which I think will be devastating for Trump, he's going to do everything in his power to distract." He specifically mentioned that Trump might engage in international conflicts, saying, “he might take us to war with Venezuela just to get a distraction in the news and take it out of the headlines."
Pritzker, considered a leading contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, did not hold back in his criticism of members of his own party. He labeled the decision by seven Democratic senators and one independent to collaborate with Republicans in a Senate vote aimed at ending the government shutdown an "enormous mistake" that would ultimately favor Trump. "I've been on team fight from the very beginning," Pritzker remarked, expressing disappointment at the Democrats who capitulated to the desires of the Trump administration.
While he refrained from calling for Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer to resign—amid calls from others who believe he should have fought more vigorously—Pritzker indicated his frustration with the group of Democratic senators who voted for the funding deal, including Senator Dick Durbin from Illinois. He asserted, "We were winning," referring to recent significant Democratic victories across the country. "I do not understand why people caved when we were on the verge of getting real change," he added, highlighting his discontent with the party's strategic choices.
Pritzker's sharp rhetoric about Trump is not new; since Trump's reelection, he has been one of the president's most vocal critics within the Democratic camp. During the interview, he described Trump as "a narcissist" and even suggested that the president "has dementia." Pritzker highlighted the renewed scrutiny surrounding Trump's connections to Epstein, especially following the release of new documents. An email from Epstein to a journalist allegedly claimed that Trump "knew about the girls," although the exact nature of that knowledge remains ambiguous. The White House countered these allegations by accusing Democrats of selectively leaking information to tarnish Trump's image.
The governor's insights into Trump's operational tactics have been influenced by recent events in Chicago, where he has observed significant federal law enforcement activity, particularly under "Operation Midway Blitz." This operation has resulted in the arrest of over 3,300 individuals suspected of immigration violations, employing aggressive tactics such as helicopter raids and the use of tear gas. Pritzker criticized the militarization of American cities, attributing it to Trump's efforts to manipulate public perception ahead of the 2026 elections. "This is part of the militarization of our American cities that Donald Trump is engaging in," he emphasized, deeming it dangerous and purposefully disruptive.
Pritzker warned that the extensive crackdown on immigration visible in Chicago was likely to extend to other states. He mentioned having discussions with North Carolina Governor Josh Stein concerning reports that federal forces might be deployed in Charlotte. "I'm hoping that the pushback will finally lead them to ratchet down their efforts," Pritzker concluded, indicating his hope for a more measured approach from the federal government in handling immigration issues.
