Pritzker Ramps Up Trump Rhetoric
Governor Pritzker speaks at an event in Belvidere in 2023. (Photo: Associated Press)
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Governor JB Pritzker ramped up his rhetoric Thursday against President Donald Trump, suggesting Trump’s threats to send National Guard troops into Chicago is actually a way for Trump to cancel the 2026 election.
In a gaggle with media Thursday in Shawneetown in southern Illinois, Pritzker said Trump’s actions were more “nefarious” than stated.
“This is a part of his plan to do something really nefarious, which is to interfere with elections in 2026,” Pritzker said. “He wants to have troops on the ground to stop people from voting, to intimidate people from going to the voting booth. Take note, that is what this is all about.”
Pritzker’s rhetoric is amped up at the same time that California Gov. Gavin Newsom, also a likely candidate for President in 2028, said Trump intends to stay in office past the 2028 election.
“This is utterly ridiculous conspiracy theory nonsense,” one GOP insider told The Illinoize Thursday night.
UPDATE: Pritzker doubled down on his comments Friday at a school in south suburban Sauk Village.
“[Trump is] defunding police, he’s defunding our efforts to fight crime so that he can send troops into the City of Chicago for one reason. I want everybody to pay attention what the reason is: it’s about the elections in 2026 and interrupting out ability to have a free and fair election in 2026.”
Trump has not made any public statements about cancelling the midterm elections.
