Pritzker Melts Down After Trump Says He Should Be In Jail

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has launched a fiery defense of his record and his state after former President Donald Trump claimed that both Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson “should be in jail” for allegedly failing to protect federal immigration agents during a confrontation with protesters in Chicago.

Appearing Sunday on ABC’s This Week with George Stephanopoulos, the Democratic governor—who is widely believed to be positioning himself for a 2028 presidential run—did not hold back. Responding to both Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, who had appeared on the same program earlier, Pritzker accused the Trump administration of spreading lies, abusing power, and undermining constitutional principles.

“Well, you just heard a tidal wave of lies from the vice president of the United States,” Pritzker began. “It’s shocking. He stood there and made things up on national television without any regard for truth or decency. And that’s what we’re seeing every day from this administration—a nonstop attack on honesty and integrity.”

Pritzker went further, referencing Trump’s multiple criminal convictions and suggesting that the former president had no moral authority to threaten others with jail. “This is an administration led by a 34-time convicted felon who is now threatening to imprison political opponents,” he said. “They are weaponizing power to intimidate anyone who disagrees with them. It’s authoritarian behavior, plain and simple.”

Trump’s remarks, posted earlier in the week on social media, accused both Pritzker and Johnson of “failing to protect ICE officers” after reports surfaced of a violent incident near an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in the Chicago suburb of Broadview.

According to federal officials, ICE agents on patrol were surrounded by demonstrators protesting immigration enforcement. Dispatch recordings reviewed by journalists indicated that Chicago police were instructed to stand down as tensions escalated. At one point, agents said a woman armed with a semi-automatic weapon attempted to drive into them. Officers returned fire, injuring the suspect, who was later taken into custody.

The event reignited an already heated national debate over the limits of federal and local cooperation on immigration enforcement. For Trump and his allies, it was another example of Democratic “lawlessness.” For Pritzker, it was an excuse for political theater.

When asked by reporters about Trump’s online remarks, Pritzker’s first reaction was defiant: “Come and get me,” he said Wednesday. On Sunday, he doubled down on that sentiment.

“I’m not afraid of Donald Trump or his threats,” he told Stephanopoulos. “We’ve seen this playbook before. He bullies, he lies, and he calls it leadership. But I’m going to stand up for the people of my state. That’s my job, and I won’t be intimidated.”

Pressed by Stephanopoulos on whether he worried that Trump might follow through—given that Trump has previously called for the prosecution of political figures like James Comey and Letitia James—Pritzker was blunt but measured.

“Does he have the power to try? Sure. Does that mean he can override the Constitution? Absolutely not,” he said. “So am I afraid? No. Do I think he might try? Probably. But as I’ve said before—come and get me. You’re dead wrong, Mr. President, and I will stand up for the law.”

Pritzker also accused the Trump administration of crossing constitutional lines by federalizing troops and deploying them to states without coordination. He referenced several Republican governors who have expressed discomfort with the practice.

“Governor Stitt of Oklahoma said he would be offended if I sent Illinois troops into his state,” Pritzker noted. “Well, I’m offended that Governor Greg Abbott is sending his into mine. Even Republican Governor Phil Scott of Vermont has called this unconstitutional. It’s good to see at least some Republicans standing up for state sovereignty. More of them should.”

Pritzker’s remarks highlight growing tension between state governments and the federal administration over immigration enforcement, border security, and the limits of executive power. Since returning to office, Trump has increasingly used aggressive rhetoric against states and city leaders who resist federal directives—particularly those that challenge his immigration policies.

For Pritzker, however, this confrontation could serve a dual purpose: defending his state’s autonomy and solidifying his standing as a leading Democratic voice for the post-Biden era. His confident defiance and polished performance on national television seemed deliberately crafted for a broader audience.

The Illinois governor’s political future has been the subject of speculation for months. His ability to balance progressive policies—such as protecting abortion rights and expanding social services—with pragmatic fiscal management has made him a popular figure among Democrats frustrated by the party’s lack of a clear 2028 front-runner.

Still, Sunday’s exchange was less about future campaigns and more about the immediate clash of political worldviews. Pritzker portrayed Trump’s threats as dangerous not only to himself but to democratic norms.

“We’re watching a presidency that operates without restraint,” he said. “Threatening to jail opponents, manipulating law enforcement, using fear to divide Americans—that’s not leadership, that’s tyranny creeping in through the front door. And every governor, Republican or Democrat, should be alarmed.”

He also defended his record on public safety, countering Trump’s claim that Chicago and Illinois had become “lawless zones.”

“Let’s be clear,” Pritzker said. “Our law enforcement officers risk their lives every day. Illinois is not lawless—it’s resilient. We’ve reduced crime rates in several major categories, and we’re investing in communities that have been neglected for decades. What we’re not doing is turning our state into a staging ground for political stunts.”

Trump’s campaign responded later Sunday, issuing a statement accusing Pritzker of “failing the people of Illinois” and claiming that his “soft-on-crime policies” have endangered both residents and federal agents. “Governor Pritzker can grandstand all he wants,” the statement read, “but his state remains one of the worst-run in America.”

Despite the escalating rhetoric, sources close to the governor say he’s unfazed and focused on reinforcing Illinois’s position as a “firewall” against what he calls “federal overreach.”

For observers, the back-and-forth underscores how quickly American politics is reverting to its old battle lines: Trump and his allies casting Democrats as reckless radicals, while Democrats paint Trump’s team as autocratic and lawless.

In the end, Pritzker’s message was clear and unflinching. “I took an oath to uphold the Constitution,” he said. “That means standing up to bullies, even if that bully sits in the Oval Office.”

As Trump ramps up his attacks ahead of the next election cycle, and as Pritzker’s national profile grows, their feud may be just a preview of what’s to come in 2028—a collision between two very different visions of America.

For now, Pritzker seems ready for the fight.

“Come and get me,” he repeated, leaning forward during his interview. “Because I’m not backing down—not today, not ever.”