Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is strongly criticizing President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement policies and warning those carrying out what he calls unlawful and violent actions that they won’t always be shielded from consequences. In an interview on MSNBC, Pritzker made it clear that people involved in aggressive immigration raids and abuses—including White House figures and federal agents—could eventually face legal accountability, even if they are currently protected under Trump’s presidency.
Pritzker specifically named Stephen Miller, a top Trump advisor known for his hardline stance on immigration; Tom Homan, who has overseen enforcement efforts at the border; and Gregory Bovino, the Customs and Border Protection official operating in the Chicago area. The governor said these individuals, among others, are using the president’s orders to justify illegal behavior, but he stressed that presidential immunity and pardons won’t protect them forever. Once there’s a new administration willing to uphold the law, he said, these people could be investigated and prosecuted for violations.
He didn’t limit his warning to high-level officials. Pritzker emphasized that everyone involved, including ICE agents and other personnel carrying out questionable or violent orders, might face consequences later. He stated that following illegal directives doesn’t excuse someone from accountability, and that future leaders will have the power—and responsibility—to hold them accountable.
Pritzker saved some of his sharpest criticism for Stephen Miller, accusing him of intentionally directing federal agents to break the law as part of a broader crackdown on immigrants and protesters. He said Miller’s policies have led to unconstitutional actions and civil rights violations in cities like Chicago, Washington D.C., and Los Angeles. According to Pritzker, Miller should understand that while accountability may take time, there will come a point when his actions—and those of others—will be reviewed and judged.
Backing up these concerns, members of Congress, led by Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland, also condemned the Trump administration’s aggressive tactics. In a formal letter, Raskin and 17 other Democratic lawmakers demanded an immediate end to what they called violent, unlawful enforcement actions happening in Chicago. They accused federal agents of terrorizing communities and violating constitutional rights, especially in the wake of “Operation Midway Blitz,” which ramped up aggressive enforcement in the area.
Their letter describes disturbing incidents that took place in October alone: federal agents shot two people; handcuffed and detained a local elected official at a hospital; used tear gas in front of a public school; placed someone in a chokehold while they were already handcuffed; shot a pastor with a pepper ball; threw flashbang grenades at civilians; and raided an apartment complex where U.S. citizens, children, and even military veterans were zip-tied and held for hours. All of this, they argue, amounts to a serious abuse of power.
The lawmakers further criticized Trump for sending the National Guard into Illinois over the objections of Governor Pritzker. They called the administration’s actions not just unconstitutional, but actively dangerous to public safety. They accused Trump and his officials of using immigration enforcement as political theater and of inflicting unnecessary trauma on communities that are already vulnerable.
In their letter, the Democrats urged Trump and top officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons, to stop what they described as attacks on the people of Chicago. They said Americans want real, practical solutions for public safety and immigration—not dramatic shows of force that endanger lives and damage trust between communities and law enforcement.
Governor Pritzker and these lawmakers made it clear they are keeping track of what is happening, and that those involved should not assume they’ll avoid consequences just because they’re protected now. Their message is that when the political tides shift, accountability will follow.
