Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, a potential 2028 Democratic presidential contender, delivered a passionate speech in New Hampshire on Sunday night, calling on fellow Democrats to engage in “mass protests” and reject the party’s traditional, bipartisan approach. His fiery comments sparked backlash from the White House, particularly from President Trump’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Stephen Miller.
Pritzker, known for his vast wealth as the heir to the Hyatt hotel fortune, made his most forceful appeal yet for political mobilization. “It’s time to fight everywhere and all at once,” Pritzker declared to a crowd of Democratic officials and donors in Manchester, urging his party to adopt a more combative stance in the face of mounting challenges from Republicans.
Pritzker’s Critique of the Democratic Party’s Approach
During his speech, Pritzker criticized the Democratic Party’s focus on “poll-tested language” and “decades of stale decorum,” suggesting that these tactics no longer served the needs of an increasingly polarized political landscape. He warned that Democrats had been too passive in confronting the Republicans, particularly when it came to dealing with President Donald Trump’s aggressive rhetoric and policies.
“For far too long, we’ve been guilty of listening to a bunch of do-nothing political types who would tell us that America’s house is not on fire, even as the flames are licking their faces,” Pritzker said, urging Democrats to adopt a more confrontational strategy. He specifically criticized any attempts to reason with “a madman,” a clear reference to Trump’s leadership style.
White House Responds with Criticism
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller quickly responded to Pritzker’s remarks, accusing the Illinois governor of encouraging “mass protests” that could potentially incite violence. In a statement to reporters, Miller said, “His comments, if nothing else, could be construed as inciting violence.” He also referenced previous attempts on President Trump’s life and domestic terrorism linked to left-wing activists, notably citing vandalism against Tesla as a symbol of resistance to Trump’s influence.
Pritzker was quick to defend his comments, explaining in a press conference at the University of Illinois Chicago that his call to action was nonviolent. “I was calling for people to take out their megaphones and their microphones, to stand up on soapboxes and to get to the ballot box,” he said. “That has nothing to do with inciting violence.” He further criticized Miller’s apparent hypocrisy, pointing out that the White House official had defended the actions of those involved in the January 6 Capitol insurrection.
Calls for Political Mobilization in the Upcoming Election
Pritzker’s speech comes as the Democratic Party faces internal divisions over how to approach the 2028 presidential election. While some members advocate for unity and bipartisanship, others, like Pritzker, argue that a more aggressive stance is needed to counter what they see as an increasingly authoritarian Republican Party. The Illinois governor’s calls for mass protests are part of his broader argument that the party must break free from conventional strategies if it hopes to engage the new generation of voters and confront the growing political divide.
As the Democratic Party continues to prepare for the 2028 election cycle, Pritzker’s comments reflect a broader shift toward more vocal and assertive political engagement, signaling that the governor could be positioning himself as a leader of the party’s more progressive wing.
