Few Legislative Republicans Break with Trump on Jailing Pritzker
House Republican Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) was one of a majority of House Republicans who wouldn’t respond if they they agree with President Trump’s call to jail Governor JB Pritzker. (Photo: Chicago Tribune)
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After President Trump wrote on social media this week without evidence that Governor JB Pritzker “should be in jail” for “failing to protect [ICE] officers,” few elected members of the General Assembly appear ready to break from the leader of their party, but few are willing to openly agree with him, either.
The Illinoize sent text messages Thursday to 38 of 40 House Republicans and 18 of 19 Senate Republicans asking if they agree with Trump that Pritzker “should be in jail.”
Just five Republicans, Rep. Jason Bunting (R-Emington), Sen. Don DeWitte (R-St. Charles), Rep. Bill Hauter (R-Morton), Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria), and Rep. Brad Stephens (R-Rosemont) said they disagree with Trump’s statement.
“What we have here is grown ups that need to grow up,” responded Bunting.
“No. The Governor should be defeated in the next election,” wrote Spain.
“This is kind of silly,” said Stephens. “Both are guilty of using residents of Illinois as political pawns in a high stakes game of chess. They keep pushing the envelope too far.”
Most Republicans who responded, 12 in total, sent non-committal statements, mostly directing their criticism at Pritzker.
“The Governor is being highly irresponsible by not supporting federal law enforcement and with his incendiary rhetoric against federal personnel,” said Rep. Joe Sosnowski (R-Rockford). “[He] has jeopardized the safety of those officers as well as protestors and migrants alike.”
Conservative Freedom Caucus Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City), a Trump supporter, responded to a question with a question.
“Should JB Pritzker be held accountable for actively promoting chaos and putting law enforcement and citizens in danger so he can try to score political points with far-left America last radicals,” he asked. “The Chicago police stand down order was reckless, dangerous and disgusting and people responsible need to be held accountable. This kind of order would never be considered without the anti-federal law enforcement rhetoric come from JB Pritzker and [Chicago Mayor] Brandon Johnson.”
Rep. Steve Reick (R-Woodstock) may have been most direct.
“I think both sides need to cut the rhetorical horses***t and get down to the business of what they were elected to do, and do it within the boundaries established by law,” he said.
The closest Republican to joining Trump’s call to jail the Governor came from a frequent Pritzker critic, Rep. John Cabello (R-Machesney Park).
“The governor’s refusal to protect ICE and cooperate with federal law enforcement is unacceptable,” he said. “President Trump is right to call out the dangerous consequences of these sanctuary policies. If any official is knowingly obstructing law enforcement, they should absolutely face consequences no one is above the law.”
The vast majority of legislative Republicans, more than 30 in total, did not respond to our request for comment. That included both House GOP Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) and Senate GOP Leader John Curran (R-Downers Grove).
