Governor JB Pritzker news: Illinois gov. defends searing NH speech, as some say words meant violence against Trump administration
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — At a rally at the University of Illinois Chicago Monday afternoon, Gov. JB Pritzker defended a searing speech he delivered in the key presidential nomination state of New Hampshire.

While it has come under fire, the speech drew big applause from the audience.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Standing with UIC students rallying against Trump administration higher education policies, Pritzker was back in Illinois Monday after delivering a fiery speech in New Hampshire Sunday, before a key Democratic fundraising group.

“Never before in my life have I called for mass protests, for mobilization, for disruption, but I am now,” Pritzker said. “These Republicans cannot know a moment of peace.”

National and some Illinois Republicans interpreted Pritzker’s harsh words to mean violence against the Trump administration.

On Monday, the governor said that is not what he meant.

“I called for people to take out their megaphones and their microphones, to stand up on the soap boxes and get to the ballot box,” Pritzker said.

But, Pritzker wasn’t just taking aim at Republicans in the New Hampshire speech. When it comes to fighting back against the president’s policies and actions, the governor called some members of his party “do-nothing Democrats.”

“Now that this culture of timidity is on full display, those same do-nothing Democrats want to blame our losses on our defense of Black people, of trans kids, of immigrants, instead of their own lack of guts and gumption,” Pritzker said.

On Monday, Pritzker did not name the do-nothing Democrats.

As he aims to be the Democratic Party’s loudest and most blunt voice against President Donald Trump, the New Hampshire audience ate it up. They cheered loudly for Pritzker several times. It’s exactly what the Democratic base in the first primary state wanted to hear.

“As for presidential aspirations, especially this far out, you need to really get your name out there on a national level. And this played perfectly into that strategy,” ABC7 Chicago political analyst Laura Washington said.

The Pritzker speech made national headlines and even got the ladies on “The View” chatting about the Illinois governor as a possible presidential contender. But, some local Republicans say Pritzker should concentrate on making headlines at home.

“He pokes a lot of fun at Donald Trump, saying that he’s got very low approval ratings, but Brandon Johnson is still hovering around single digits. So, I think there’s a lot of work to be done at home,” Cook County Republican Chair Aaron Del Mar said.

Pritzker was not any closer Monday to making public his future political plans, and he claims he was surprised the New Hampshire speech made national news.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Group of friends celebrating with sparklers and drinks at night.

Secret Drones Could Lead to $100k Fines for July 4 Celebrations in America

AMERICANS could be slapped with fines up to $100,000 depending on how…
Air India crash preliminary investigation report released

Preliminary Investigation Report on Air India Crash Published

The June 12 crash claimed the lives of at least 260 individuals…
EMBARGOED TO 0001 SUNDAY JULY 6 File photo dated 10/06/25 of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during a reception for London Tech Week, at no 10 Downing Street, London. Sir Keir Starmer has been urged not to "punish" children by keeping the two-child cap following Labour's U-turn on benefit cuts. The SNP urged the Prime Minister to end the limit amid reports it could stay as a result of Labour scrapping most of its welfare reforms. Issue date: Sunday July 6, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire

Keir Affirms His Commitment to ‘Island of Strangers’ Message, Emphasizing the Need for UK to Be an Integrated Society

SIR Keir Starmer has affirmed his ongoing commitment to the message behind…
Trump to tour Texas flood damage as the scope of the disaster tests his pledge to shutter FEMA

Trump Visits Texas to Assess Flood Damage amid Challenges to His Promise to Close FEMA

As President Donald Trump travels to Texas on Friday to witness the…
Man wrestling a crocodile.

Outrage as Influencer Colton Macaulay Recklessly Confronts Dangerous Crocodile in Viral Stunt

THIS is the shocking moment influencer Colton Macaulay wrestles a deadly croc,…
Aftermath of a Russian missile strike in Lviv, Ukraine.

NATO Jets Mobilized as Putin Executes Major Assault on Ukraine with 700 Drones and Hypersonic Missile

NATO fighter jets were scrambled overnight after Russia launched one of the…
Mandatory evacuation orders in effect as 1,000-acre wildfire threatens Grand Canyon's North Rim

Evacuation Orders Issued as 1,000-Acre Wildfire Nears Grand Canyon’s North Rim

The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is temporarily closed as mandatory…
Andre Agassi snaps at commentator over celebrity Wimbledon questions

Andre Agassi Responds Firmly to Commentator’s Celebrity Wimbledon Inquiries

Andre Agassi is at Wimbledon to talk tennis, not to fawn over…
Trump rally shooting survivors turn attack into motivation year later: ‘go out there and live life’

Survivors of Shooting at Trump Rally Draw Inspiration to Embrace Life One Year On

PITTSBURGH – It has been one year since a tragic event at…
Federal judge restricts LAPD from targeting journalists with force at immigration protests

Federal Judge Prohibits LAPD from Using Force Against Journalists During Immigration Protests

A federal judge in Los Angeles, appointed by former President Joe Biden,…
Naperville news today: Centennial Beach closed amid death investigation at 500 West Jackson Avenue, park district says

Naperville Update: Centennial Beach Closure During Investigation of Incident at 500 West Jackson Avenue, Reports Park District

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (WLS) — A west suburban beach is closed to the…
Country singer Conner Smith involved in Nashville crash, killing pedestrian

Emerging Country Artist Conner Smith Cited Following Deadly Accident in Nashville

Police indicated Smith showed no signs of impairment at the time of…