WASHINGTON (AP) — Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he’s anxious about how President Donald Trump would possibly reply to the rising controversy over paperwork tying him to Jeffrey Epstein.
“My nice worry, after all, is that with the discharge of that data, which I believe will likely be devastating for Trump, he’s going to do every thing in his energy to distract,” Pritzker informed The Related Press in a wide-ranging interview on Wednesday. “What does that imply? I imply, he would possibly take us to struggle with Venezuela simply to get a distraction within the information and take it out of the headlines.”
Pritzker, extensively seen as among the many top potential Democratic presidential contenders in 2028, additionally directed a few of his sharpest criticism at members of his personal celebration. He mentioned the choice by seven Democratic senators and one impartial to aspect with Republicans in a Senate vote to finish the federal government shutdown was an “monumental mistake” that performed proper into Trump’s arms.
“I’ve been on crew combat from the very starting,” Pritzker mentioned. “And I don’t admire once we’ve bought Democrats who’re caving in and doing mainly what the Trump administration desires.”
Pritzker didn’t join calls for Senate Democratic Chief Chuck Schumer to step apart, which has come from some Democrats who assume he ought to have fought tougher. “I’m undecided that is the one factor that individuals ought to deal with to place them over the sting about it,” the governor mentioned.
He was as a substitute extra important of the group of Democratic senators who voted for the deal, which included Sen. Dick Durbin, his personal state’s senior senator.
“We have been profitable,” mentioned Pritzker, pointing to resounding Democratic wins in elections throughout the nation final week. “I don’t perceive why folks caved once we have been on the verge of getting actual change.”
Since Trump’s reelection, Pritzker — an inheritor to the Hyatt resort fortune — has been among the many president’s fiercest Democratic critics.
On Wednesday, he described Trump as “a narcissist” and mentioned he believed the president “has dementia.”
Pritzker’s feedback about Trump’s use of the politics of distraction got here as newly released documents reignited scrutiny of Trump’s relationship with Epstein. In a 2019 electronic mail to a journalist, Epstein wrote that Trump “knew in regards to the ladies,” however what he knew — and whether or not it pertained to the intercourse offender’s crimes — is unclear. The White Home accused Democrats of selectively leaking the emails to smear the president.
However few governors have witnessed Trump’s use of drive as straight as Pritzker, who has seen federal brokers descend on Chicago and its suburbs in current months as a part of “ Operation Midway Blitz.” Greater than 3,300 folks suspected of immigration violations have been arrested since September, with some raids involving helicopters, tear gasoline and nighttime operations.
“That is a part of the militarization of our American cities that Donald Trump is participating in,” Pritzker mentioned. “And it’s harmful. It shouldn’t occur, however he’s bought a function behind it. And it’s to have an effect on our elections in 2026.”
Pritzker mentioned the big immigration crackdown seen in Chicago would quickly develop to different states, saying that he had spoken not too long ago to North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein after studies that the administration would possibly ship federal forces into Charlotte.
“I’m hoping that the pushback will lastly make them ratchet down their efforts,” mentioned Pritzker.
