Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has warning for Donald Trump: ‘You come for my people, you come through me
Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton stood alongside Governor JB Pritzker as he addressed the public for the first time since the presidential election results. With Donald Trump returning to the White House, Pritzker made it clear he intends to fight to protect Illinois residents—particularly their rights related to abortion, immigration, and the LGBTQ+ community.
Pritzker delivered a passionate message, warning that anyone who tries to take away freedom from people in Illinois would have to go through him first. He refused to dwell on why Democrats underperformed, including in traditionally blue states like Illinois, where Trump managed to gain more ground than in past elections. Instead, he said it’s too soon to draw conclusions, but pointed out that Vice President Kamala Harris only had 107 days to campaign after Biden dropped out in July—a short time for such a huge race.
Though he hasn’t announced plans to run for another term in 2026 or for president in 2028, Pritzker is seen as a likely candidate. For now, he said his focus will be on defending Illinois from Trump’s expected policy shifts, just as he did during his first two years as governor under Trump’s previous term.
Other Democratic leaders, like California Governor Gavin Newsom, are also taking steps to resist Trump’s agenda. Newsom is calling a special legislative session, while Illinois lawmakers will be back in Springfield soon for their scheduled veto session—potentially with Trump’s policies top of mind.
Pritzker has long had a contentious relationship with Trump, calling him out frequently during the pandemic, after George Floyd’s murder, and throughout the recent campaign. His sharp criticism didn’t let up in 2024, labeling Trump with strong words like “racist,” “misogynist,” “homophobe,” and “convicted felon”—a message that resonated with many progressive voters.
Despite these tensions, Pritzker acknowledged Trump’s victory and emphasized the importance of a peaceful transition of power, even noting that Trump hadn’t done the same after his 2020 loss.
On abortion rights, Pritzker has also been active nationally. He founded and funds Think Big America, a political group supporting abortion rights across several states. Of the nine measures it supported in 2024, seven passed. Though Illinois law protects abortion access, it’s not written into the state constitution—a change some hoped would be pursued this year but wasn’t.
Ending on a personal note, Pritzker talked about his early political inspiration and expressed frustration over the lack of a female president, echoing disappointment many felt after Harris’ loss. With Juliana Stratton standing behind him, he addressed young women directly, saying he understands their frustration and shares their hope for change—even if now wasn’t the time.
