The Democratic governor of Illinois, J.B. Pritzker, spoke to reporters Thursday for the first time since the victory of donald trump in the 2024 elections and said that looks forward to working with the next administrationbut issued a warning.
Pritzker stated that if anyone tries to “come for my people,” they will have to “come through me,” referring to minority and marginalized communities in Illinois who remember the “chaos, retribution and disorder that radiated from the White House last week.” last time Donald Trump occupied it.”
“People have often said that I am a happy warrior, and I have always taken my role as a happy warrior seriously on behalf of this state. “Even today, as I struggle with many of the difficult questions this election raises, my optimism for the future remains intact,” Pritzker said.
The Illinois governor’s press conference can be seen in English here.
“To anyone who intends to take away the freedom, opportunity and dignity of Illinoisans: I remind you that a happy warrior is still a warrior,” he continued. “You come for my people, you come through me.”
The governor pointed out that in his state, will continue working to protect all people, no matter what a second Trump term looks like.
“Maybe this time it will be different. But if it is not, Illinois will remain a place of stability and competent governance,” Pritzker said.
The governor thanked poll workers and the people of his state who voted and also shared a sentiment similar to that of Vice President Harris in her concession speech, that the change may take a little longer than people expected.
“Casting a vote is making a wish for the future. Sometimes you live to see that wish fulfilled, and sometimes you must accept that your vote is a down payment on a house that you can wait a long time to finally live in,” he said.
The governor of Illinois, who also He is seen as a possible presidential candidate in 2028said Americans should be “focused on a peaceful transition of power, even if Donald Trump did not give that to his successor.”
Pritzker told reporters it was too early to offer an explanation for why Democrats failed to win over voters in key statesincluding neighboring Wisconsin, where thousands of Illinois Democrats campaigned over the past two months for Harris’ candidacy.
“I haven’t seen anyone come forward with an analysis of the data. “There are a lot of people with opinions, and certainly Republicans are expressing their opinions about what Democrats have done wrong to lose an election,” Pritzker said.. “But the reality is it’s going to take a little bit of time, I think, before we have real answers.”
Pritzker’s statements join the reactions of other Democratic governors to Trump’s victory in the presidential elections.
The Democratic governor of California, Gavin Newsomcalled an emergency session of the state Legislature to strengthen the defense of civil liberties, reproductive rights and environmental protections in the face of the change in the federal government.
And the Democratic governor of Massachusetts, Maura Healeystated that the state police will not participate in the mass deportations that Trump announces, despite the fact that the president-elect has said that this collaboration of state authorities is part of his plan to detain and deport undocumented immigrants.
“We must use all available tools to protect our citizens, our residents and our states, and, without a doubt, to maintain democracy and the rule of law as a basic principle,” said the governor of Massachusetts, Maura Healey.
In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James They said state government officials plan to meet regularly to coordinate legal strategies.
Democrats currently control the governorship and legislature in 14 states.making them the spots most likely to be targeted by anti-Trump actions, according to Indivisible, a progressive organizing group formed in response to Trump’s first presidential election.
Keep reading:
• Massachusetts police will not collaborate with Trump’s mass deportations
• Gavin Newsom reacts quickly to counter Trump in California
• Adam Kinzinger attacks Trump and asks Democrats to be patient