Democrats are on their back feet. So they’re bringing out the claws.
That’s why Donald Trump was just threatened by a sitting Democrat Governor.
Illinois Governor Pritzker Threatens Trump: “You Come for My People, You Come Through Me”
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker issued a strong warning to President-elect Donald Trump and his incoming administration on Thursday, vowing to protect the state’s minority communities from potential threats. In a defiant statement to reporters, Pritzker declared, “You come for my people, you come through me,” signaling his commitment to defend the people of Illinois from any policies he perceives as harmful.
Pritzker’s comments came as he reflected on the divisive period of Trump’s first term, when he said that minority communities across the nation had endured “chaos, retribution, and disarray radiated from the White House.” As he prepared for the prospect of a second Trump presidency, Pritzker made it clear that his administration would stand firm against any efforts that could undermine the rights and freedoms of Illinoisans.
“I’ve always taken seriously my role as a happy warrior on behalf of this state,” Pritzker said, referencing his reputation as an optimistic but resolute leader. “Even today, when I’m struggling with many of the difficult questions this election poses, my optimism for the future remains undiminished.”
He added, “To anyone who intends to come take away the freedom and opportunity and dignity of Illinoisans: I would remind you that a happy warrior is still a warrior.” His statement underscored his readiness to fight for the people of Illinois, particularly minority groups, against any potential overreach by the new administration.
Pritzker, a billionaire businessman who has served as Illinois’ governor since 2019, emphasized that his state would continue to be a “place of stability and competent governance,” regardless of how closely the new Trump administration might resemble the previous one. “Whether or not Trump’s new administration closely resembles his first, Illinois will remain a place of stability and competent governance,” Pritzker asserted.
Governor JB Pritzker (IL-D) threatens President Trump on illegal immigrants: “I want to remind you that a happy Warrior is a Warrior. You come for my people, you come through me." pic.twitter.com/fzJfe0xcej
— ꪻꫝể ꪻꫝể (@TheThe1776) November 8, 2024
Reflecting on the challenges posed by Trump’s victory in 2016, Pritzker revealed that Illinois had been proactive in preparing for such a scenario. His administration had worked with the state legislature to take steps to safeguard key rights, particularly access to abortion. He highlighted the importance of unity among Democratic governors, saying, “We have like minds about protecting certain rights and making sure that we’re going to be able to withstand four years of a Donald Trump presidency.”
Pritzker’s stance on Trump has been consistent, especially during his role as a surrogate for Vice President Kamala Harris during the election campaign. He regularly characterized Trump as racist, homophobic, and xenophobic, painting a stark contrast between his leadership and the policies of the incoming president.
Despite his strong words against Trump, Pritzker was cautious about assigning blame for the election loss, particularly regarding Harris’ underperformance in crucial swing states. “I haven’t seen anybody show up with an analysis of the data. There are a lot of people with opinions, and certainly Republicans are spouting off their opinions about what Democrats have done wrong in order to lose an election,” he said. “But the reality is, it’s going to take a little while, I think, before we have real answers.”
However, other Democratic figures have suggested that the party’s shift to the left on social issues may have contributed to the electoral setback. Representative Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.) argued that Democrats who distanced themselves from radical social positions fared better in the election. “Democrats have to stop pandering to the far left. I don’t want to discriminate against anybody, but I don’t think biological boys should be playing in girls’ sports,” Suozzi said, according to the New York Times. “Democrats aren’t saying that, and they should be.”
Additionally, some analysts have pointed to the vice president’s struggle to connect with Latino voters as a factor in the election outcome. Early exit polling from CNN showed Harris’ margin of victory among Hispanic voters had dropped significantly from previous elections, with her lead reduced to just eight percentage points.
In contrast, Hillary Clinton had won Latino voters by 38 points in 2016, and Joe Biden had a 33-point advantage in 2020. Notably, Trump made inroads with Latino men, winning their support by ten percentage points — an achievement that marked the first time a Republican candidate had won the Latino male vote in modern exit polling history.
The Conservative Column will keep you updated on any response from the Donald Trump team.
