Pritzker Pushes Back After Trump Threatens Jail for “Failing to Protect” ICE Officers
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker sharply rebuked former President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance on Sunday, responding to Trump’s social media claim that both he and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson “should be in jail” for allegedly failing to protect federal immigration officers during a recent confrontation between protesters and ICE agents.
Speaking on ABC’s This Week with George Stephanopoulos, Pritzker dismissed the accusation as politically motivated and unconstitutional, saying he would “stand up for the people” of Illinois.
“You heard a tidal wave of lies from the vice president of the United States,” Pritzker said. “This administration, led by a 34-time convicted felon, is threatening to jail people who are their political opponents.”
Pritzker first addressed the controversy earlier in the week, telling reporters in Chicago, “Come and get me,” when asked about Trump’s comments. He reiterated that sentiment Sunday, framing it as a defense of state sovereignty.
“There are truly unconstitutional actions coming from this administration,” he said. “We’ve got to all stand together — Democrats and Republicans alike — because this goes beyond politics.”
Pritzker also criticized the deployment of out-of-state National Guard troops to Illinois, reportedly ordered by Texas Governor Greg Abbott amid growing tensions over immigration enforcement. “I am offended that Governor Abbott has troops coming into my state,” he said. “Even Republican governors like Phil Scott in Vermont have called this unconstitutional.”
A Clash Over Immigration and Authority
Trump’s initial remarks followed reports that Chicago police officers had been told to “stand down” during an incident involving federal agents near an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Broadview, a suburb west of the city.
According to federal officials, ICE agents were confronted by protesters during a patrol about 15 miles from ongoing anti-ICE demonstrations. When a woman allegedly attempted to ram her vehicle into the agents while armed with a semi-automatic weapon, officers opened fire. The woman was later hospitalized and taken into custody.
Trump’s campaign has since used the incident to criticize what it calls “lawless sanctuary policies” in Chicago and Illinois.
“Come and Get Me”
During Sunday’s interview, Stephanopoulos pressed Pritzker on whether he feared a politically motivated prosecution if Trump were to return to the White House.
“Do I think he could do it? He might,” Pritzker replied. “But as I said before — come and get me. You are dead wrong, Mr. President. And Mr. Vice President. And I will stand up for the law.”
Pritzker, a Democrat widely rumored to be considering a 2028 presidential run, has positioned himself as one of Trump’s most vocal critics among Democratic governors. His comments come as the former president faces multiple ongoing legal cases while campaigning for a potential return to office.
Broader Context
The exchange reflects an escalating clash between state and federal powers over immigration enforcement, civil protest, and political accountability.
While Trump’s supporters view his remarks as part of a broader push to strengthen border security, critics argue that threats to jail political opponents cross a line in democratic governance.
For now, Pritzker remains defiant — casting himself not just as a political rival, but as a defender of constitutional limits.
“He does not have the power to overcome the Constitution,” the governor said. “And I’m not afraid to remind him of that.”
