Pritzker Condemns Federal Actions in Chicago

On Sunday, during CNN’s State of the Union, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker sharply criticized the Trump administration, accusing it of turning Chicago into a “war zone” to justify sending in more troops.

Targeting Residents Instead of Criminals

Pritzker argued, “Instead of going after the bad actors, they’re detaining people who are brown and black just to check their papers. Many U.S. citizens don’t carry proof of citizenship. Yet they are being arrested.”

He detailed a federal raid in South Shore, where authorities emptied a 130-unit building overnight. “They aimed for a few gang members,” Pritzker said, “but instead, they smashed windows, broke doors, ransacked apartments, and held elderly people and children. Some were zip-tied for hours.”

Creating a False War Zone

The governor claimed the federal government wanted “mayhem on the ground” to justify deploying additional troops. “They now ask for 300 Illinois National Guard members. We didn’t need them before they arrived,” he said.

Pritzker added that officials falsely labeled Chicago a war zone. “They fire tear gas and smoke grenades to make it look like chaos,” he explained.

A City Under Pressure

Pritzker’s comments highlight growing tensions between local leaders and federal authorities over enforcement tactics and the treatment of residents during immigration raids.