Illinois Governor JB Pritzker criticized President Donald Trump on Monday regarding his handling of the fatal shooting of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk.
“This is a moment when America must come together and say clearly that threats and political violence are not the answer,” Pritzker said.
The news conference began with an update on how immigration actions targeting the Chicago area have impacted residents.
Pritzker, a Democrat, and Trump have been at odds over the surge of federal officers to the region as part of Trump’s mass deportation effort.
Pritzker then pivoted to the issue of political violence, noting there has been a trend of political violence in recent years.
The governor detailed a number of violent attacks perpetrated against individuals on both sides of the aisle.
He observed that every president in his lifetime, except one, has urged national unity following such acts of violence, highlighting Trump’s lack of a unifying message across party lines.
When asked, Pritzker denied reports he referred to Republicans as Nazis and told the reporter that anyone who said he did was lying.
Regarding his choice to specifically name Trump, Pritzker stated that anyone inciting anger in the aftermath of political violence merits criticism.
