Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has delivered a blistering response to former President Donald Trump, after he publicly suggested the state leader should deploy the National Guard to tackle crime in Chicago.
In a statement that underscores the deep political divisions in America, Governor Pritzker dismissed Trump's proposal as nothing more than a 'political stunt' and a 'fantasy' from a man desperate to remain in the spotlight.
A Public Clash of Wills
The war of words began when Trump, on his social media platform Truth Social, took aim at Chicago's crime rates. The former president, who has long used the city as a rhetorical punching bag, implied that decisive action from the Governor was needed.
Governor Pritzker, a prominent Democrat, did not mince his words in his retort. He accused Trump of undermining the nation's institutions and the rule of law during his presidency, stating that Illinois would not be taking advice from someone with such a track record.
Reality Versus Political Theatre
The Governor's office emphasised that the deployment of the National Guard for domestic law enforcement is an extremely serious measure, typically reserved for emergencies like natural disasters or civil unrest, not a routine crime-fighting tool. Pritzker framed Trump's suggestion as an uninformed and dangerous oversimplification of a complex issue.
This exchange is the latest in a series of confrontations between Trump and Democratic state leaders, highlighting how his influence continues to shape political discourse and provoke strong reactions from his opponents, even outside of election seasons.
