Chicago, IL – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker sharply escalated his criticism of the White House Sunday morning, telling CNN’s State of the Union that federal immigration and National Guard operations in Chicago are “making it a war zone” and calling on officials to “get the heck out of Chicago.”
Pritzker said agents from federal immigration and customs agencies have carried out late-night raids in areas such as South Shore and Brook, Illinois, detaining residents and damaging property. “They broke down doors, zip-tied elderly people and children, and held them for hours,” the governor said. “If they’re not focused on the worst of the worst, they need to get out.”
The remarks follow reports 300 Illinois National Guard members would be federalized in the coming days as part of a broader enforcement push ordered by the Trump administration. Pritzker called the plan “an abuse of power” and warned that federal troops and ICE personnel “are detaining U.S. citizens who don’t carry proof of citizenship.”
Appearing alongside CNN anchor Jake Tapper, Pritzker accused Trump and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem of “using every lever to provoke our communities and incite chaos.” The White House has not yet responded publicly to the governor’s comments.
Civil-rights organizations, including the ACLU of Illinois, continue to urge residents to stay calm, document all interactions with law enforcement, and review “Know Your Rights” materials in case of federal contact.
Protests were reported Sunday afternoon near Michigan Avenue and Grant Park, with demonstrators calling for transparency and an end to nighttime raids.
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