J.B. Pritzker

Pritzker is one of the wealthiest elected officials in American history

War of words escalates as Texas National Guard arrives in Chicago ahead of hearing

Gov. JB Pritzker responded Wednesday morning, writing on X, “I will not back down. Trump is now calling for the arrest of elected representatives checking his power. What else is left on the path to full-blown authoritarianism?”

Governor’s order cites fears of slow economic growth triggered by tariffs, ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’

Appearing on MSNBC’s “The Briefing with Jen Psaki,” the Democratic governor accused President Donald Trump of following an authoritarian playbook by silencing his opponents and urged Americans to “write letters, write e-mails, post online, speak up [and] protest” ABC’s decision.

Sources close to the governor told the Sun-Times that Ben Bergquam’s video has prompted additional concerns over Pritzker’s safety. The Illinois State Police Executive Protection Unit currently provides 24-hour security for the governor, his family and the Governor’s Mansion in Springfield.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday night told reporters that he would focus on sending the guard to another city and said he’s working with a governor “who would love us to be there.” The president has yet to announce which city he was referencing.

Hundreds of federal agents are being sent to a suburban naval base from Los Angeles, where an immigration blitz spurred protests that pushed President Trump to call in the National Guard. Trump has since threatened to send the Guard to Chicago while promising a crime crackdown and immigration arrests.

Teachers union President Stacy Davis Gates cited the failures of JB Pritzker and the Democratic Legislature after Pritzker said more Chicago Public Schools funding from Springfield is “just not going to happen.”

The signing comes after the Federal Emergency Management Agency joined at least three other federal agencies in canceling contracts with unions to comply with President Trump’s March executive order that stripped many federal workers of union protections.