Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday vowed to work with Donald Trump during the former president’s second term — but in no uncertain terms warned that he will be ready to go to battle if Illinois comes under attack.
“To anyone who intends to come take away the freedom and opportunity and dignity of Illinoisans, I would remind you that a happy warrior is still a warrior,” Pritzker said. “You come for my people. You come through me.”
The governor’s remarks came two days after Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris — in a race Pritzker championed as a key surrogate and campaign contributor. The Democratic governor, who has used his podium to attack Trump since the beginning of his first campaign in 2017, offered up somber, and less combative remarks as he sought to reassure the blue state of Illinois that his administration will be ready for fight against policies that could harm Illinoisans, including its vulnerable populations.
“We’ll do more than just protect against the possible reversion to an agenda that threatens to take us backward,” Pritzker said. “We will continue to advance a positive, productive and inclusive agenda of our own. One that brings opportunity to Illinois and helps uplift the nation as a whole.”
Pritzker urged all Americans to “be focused on the peaceful transition of power, even if Donald Trump didn’t afford that to his successor.”
The Democratic governor said he is “struggling with many of the difficult questions this election poses.” He also said his administration was not “unprepared” for a Trump win, and will be exploring further options to protect those seeking reproductive rights, immigrants, LGBTQ Americans and people with disabilities.
Pritzker, who is usually quick to respond to key political events, took his time to respond to the election. He released a statement on Wednesday that said Illinois will remain an “ally” to “all who have been made to feel unsafe and unwelcome by the Trump campaign and its allies.”