Illinois Governor JB Pritzker getting national attention for speaking out against President Donald Trump during budget address
Share and Follow

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WLS) — Gov. JB Pritzker is getting attention on the national stage for speaking out against President Donald Trump.

The governor’s budget address Wednesday included some blistering attacks on the president.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

But how much does it have to do with Pritzker’s future political ambitions?

Experts on both sides of the aisle are providing some insight Thursday.

“Only an idiot would think we should eliminate emergency response in a natural disaster, education and healthcare for disabled children,” Pritzker said.

The governor never seems to miss an opportunity to take on Trump, and his budget speech was perhaps his most vociferous attack to date.

“I do not invoke the specter of Nazis lightly,” Pritzker said. “I’m watching with a foreboding dread what is happening in our country right now.”

Lisa Duarte served as first deputy governor under Pritzker during his first term, and is now CEO of Point of Difference Strategies.

“JB Pritzker is the leading voice right now on, especially in the gubernatorial role, in Democratic politics against Donald Trump,” Duarte said.

Pat Brady is a former Illinois Republican Party chairman.

He said Pritzker’s speech was aimed at Democrats in Springfield and across the country.

“That speech is as effective in Illinois as it is nationally because President Trump’s very unpopular here, and this rallies his base. He’s gonna have a tough budget cycle. He’s gonna need, you know, all Democrats to support him, and going after Trump, that’s the way, one way, to rally the troops,” said Brady, with Be Media.

The day after his speech, Pritzker released a poll about Trump’s popularity, once again raising questions about the governor’s presidential ambitions.

“He’s got to get through a primary if he wants to go nationally, but he’s also got to have a broader appeal. He can’t run the Democrats, I think, right now, are struggling with, what’s their message? What do we stand for? Because, just standing against Trump hasn’t worked,” Brady said.

“We don’t have kings in America, and I don’t intend to bend the knee to one,” Pritzker said.

Pritzker’s anti-Trump messaging on full display during his budget speech is not expected to change anytime soon.

Trump’s success in his second term could be a factor in Pritzker’s future political plans.

“If they fail, that’s going to create that opportunity. And I think that that is where the governor is looking for that opportunity to be, to be standing in that gap and saying, ‘Hey, we can pull a little from each side and maybe change over the composition of the House, and potentially from there, look forward to a Democratic president,'” Duarte said.

Pritzker said in his speech that his criticism of Trump had nothing to do with his own political ambitions.

But, they do help elevate his national standing, and his comments resonate with his Democratic base.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Brown University custodian told security suspicious man was ‘casing’ building weeks before shooting: report

Brown University Custodian Alerted Security to Suspicious Activity Weeks Before Campus Shooting Incident

A custodian at Brown University reported witnessing the shooting suspect numerous times…
'I go with a shepherd's heart': Bishop Ronald Hicks speaks on being named to lead New York Archdiocese

Bishop Ronald Hicks Embraces New Role as Leader of New York Archdiocese with a Shepherd’s Heart

Bishop Ronald Hicks, recently appointed leader of the New York Archdiocese, gave…
Jalen Brunson set to sit vs. Timberwolves as Knicks seek balance

Knicks Strategize Without Jalen Brunson Against Timberwolves to Enhance Team Dynamics

Managing player time on the court can be a challenge, and the…
Report: Kansas City Chiefs to announce move to Kansas for new stadium

Kansas City Chiefs Set to Relocate Stadium Across State Line to Kansas

The Kansas City Chiefs’ potential relocation marks a significant setback for Missouri…
‘Israel is only the appetizer’: Huckabee warns Iran threat looms as Netanyahu eyes Trump talks

Huckabee Cautions on Iran’s Growing Threat as Netanyahu Considers Discussion with Trump

Huckabee says Iran’s ‘ultimate goal is to destroy the US’ The U.S.…
Australia terror attack exposes ISIS resurgence as experts warn of global jihadist networks

Australia Incident Highlights Rising ISIS Threat and Global Jihadist Network Concerns, Experts Warn

The recent terror incident in Australia has sparked immediate warnings from intelligence…
Ashley Darby Spills On Hookups With ‘RHOP’ Alum Charrisse Jackson-Jordan’s Son: “I Thought That Charrisse Would See Me On Her Security Cam And We Would Get Busted”

Ashley Darby Discusses Encounter With ‘RHOP’ Alum Charrisse Jackson-Jordan’s Son: “I Feared Being Caught on Security Footage

Ashley Darby recently shared intriguing details about her brief romantic encounter with…
FILE - Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy speaks during a news conference at the Department of Transportation in Washington, Dec. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)

Colorado’s Federal Funds Slashed by $24M Due to Unlawful CDL Issuances

DENVER (AP) — On Monday, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a…