Illinois Governor JB Pritzker reacts during a press conference on reports of federal deployments in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., September 2, 2025. REUTERS/Jim Vondruska

During a Tuesday press conference, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) took direct aim at President Donald Trump after he reiterated his plan to send the National Guard to his state.

Pritzker held his press conference directly after Trump concluded his own remarks to reporters in the Oval Office. In one exchange, Trump promised that he was going to send troops to Chicago, Illinois, though he refrained from saying exactly when he would order the deployment. Pritzker — who is considered a contender for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination – particularly took issue with Trump requesting that he "beg" the administration for federal assistance.

"I also have experience asking the president for assistance, just to have the rug pulled out from underneath me," Pritzker said. "I refuse to play a reality game show with Donald Trump again. What I want are the federal dollars that have been promised to Illinois and Chicago for violence prevention programs that have proven to work."

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"That is money that Illinois taxpayers send to the federal government," he continued. "And it's an insult to any and every citizen to suggest that any governor should have to beg the president of any political party for resources owed their people."

The two-term Illinois governor went on to say that Trump's plan to conduct immigration raids in Chicago will likely resemble the administration's efforts in Los Angeles, California, in which Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents largely focused on detaining day laborers with no criminal record despite a promise to only target violent offenders. He added that White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller likely chose September as the month the administration would zero in on Chicago due to planned events celebrating Mexican Independence Day (which takes place on September 16). And he specifically identified the Trump administration official spearheading the effort in Chicago.

"None of this is about fighting crime or making Chicago safer. None of it," he said. "For Trump, it's about testing his power and producing a political drama to cover up for his corruption. If you need any proof of this — that it's all a big show — well, look at who they're putting in charge: Gregory Bovino, a guy who desperately wants to be a reality TV star."

"He led the cruel adventures of ICE in Los Angeles, and he's been sent here to do the very same thing" Pritzker said. "Go look at his social media. He terrorizes innocent people, and then posts on TikTok edits of himself. Apparently, this is a Trump administration norm, because the last time we saw staged major ICE raids in Chicago, they sent Dr. Phil here to embed with the agents so he could get views and likes for his social media."

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Watch the video of Pritzker's comments below, or by clicking this link.

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