“Political violence unfortunately has been ratcheting up in this country. We saw the shootings, the killings in Minnesota. We've seen other political violence occur in other states. And I would just say it’s gotta stop. And I think there are people who are fomenting it in this country. I think the President's rhetoric often foments it.”
That’s an ironic statement coming from the same Governor who once said Republicans “cannot know a moment of peace.” Over the last year, Pritzker has been one of the loudest voices escalating political rhetoric himself.
Here are just a few examples:
● March 22, 2025: “What we really need is to become street fighters.”
● April 17, 2025: “Donald Trump is okay if people in Chicago die.”
● April 27, 2025: “These Republicans cannot know a moment of peace.”
● April 27, 2025: “Never before in my life have I called for mass protests, for mobilization, for disruption — but I am now.”
And in his budget address this past February, he went as far as to compare the Trump Administration to Nazis.
If Governor Pritzker really wants to lower the temperature, he should start by looking in the mirror and reining in his own dangerous rhetoric before lecturing anyone else.
Political violence has no place in our society and protecting free speech must remain a top priority.