Pritzker Melts Down After Trump Says He ‘Should Be In Jail’

Illinois Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker continued his escalating war of words with President Donald J. Trump and Vice President JD Vance on Sunday, doubling down on defiant remarks that appear tailored for a national political audience ahead of a likely 2028 presidential run.

During an interview on ABC’s This Week with host George Stephanopoulos, Pritzker was pressed about President Trump’s recent social media post calling for both him and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to be “in jail for failing to protect ICE officers.”

The president’s statement followed troubling reports that Chicago police officers were told to “stand down” when federal immigration agents came under attack by protesters outside a suburban Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility.

In a show of open defiance, Pritzker previously told reporters, “Come and get me,” a line he repeated and expanded on during the Sunday interview.

“Well, you heard a tidal wave of lies from the vice president of the United States. It’s a bit shocking,” Pritzker said, taking aim at Vice President Vance’s earlier appearance. “You heard over and over again, him just making things up on national television with you.”

The governor accused the Trump administration of lacking integrity, claiming, “This administration, led by a 34-time convicted felon, is threatening to jail people who are their political opponents.” Pritzker made no mention of the multiple attempts by Democratic prosecutors and the Biden administration to imprison Trump during his first term.

Pritzker framed his standoff as a fight for democracy, asserting, “We’ve got to all stand together because there is truly unconstitutional actions that are coming out of this administration.” However, he offered no specifics on which constitutional provisions were being violated.

The Illinois Democrat went on to claim that even some Republican governors were joining his criticism. “I am offended that [Texas Gov.] Greg Abbott has troops coming into my state. And even Governor [Phil] Scott in Vermont has called this unconstitutional. So good news. Republicans are now calling out the Trump Administration,” Pritzker said, referencing federal efforts to assist with border-related operations across state lines.

Stephanopoulos pressed Pritzker on whether he fears prosecution after President Trump’s calls for accountability for former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James both led to charges.

“It’s true that the president says things and sometimes he follows through on those threats,” Pritzker said. “He might. But as I said before, come and get me. You are dead wrong, Mr. President. And Mr. Vice President. And I will stand up for the law.”

President Trump’s original comments came after disturbing reports that ICE agents in Chicago were attacked by a woman armed with a semi-automatic weapon after being surrounded by protesters. Federal officials said the suspect attempted to ram the agents’ vehicle before being shot and taken into custody.

The confrontation reignited criticism of local Democratic leaders who have long resisted federal cooperation on immigration enforcement — and underscored the growing tension between the Trump administration and progressive state governments defying federal authority.