
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In the latest chapter of political theater masquerading as leadership, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson have shown the nation exactly what is wrong with the modern Democratic establishment – especially in our major cities. Their refusal to confront escalating violence against federal officers—particularly ICE personnel—has not only endangered law enforcement but also betrayed the very communities they claim to protect.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Governor Pritzker’s inflammatory rhetoric has reached new lows.</strong></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"> ;In response to President Trump’s proposal to deploy federal agents and National Guard troops to protect ICE facilities in Chicago, Pritzker accused the President of having “dementia” and called for the invocation of the 25th Amendment to remove him from office. He went further, likening Trump’s actions to those of Vladimir Putin, claiming that sending troops into cities was “inane” and “authoritarian”. These comments were not just political jabs—they were gasoline on a fire.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Pritzker turned his reckless rhetoric on ICE—accusing the federal immigration enforcement agency was acting like “jackbooted thugs” who were “unleashing a shit show” in local communities. He falsely claimed that ICE agents had attacked peaceful protesters and journalists with chemical munitions, including tear gas and pepper spray. ; ; Pritzker described the actions by ICE agents as “unprovoked” and “brutal”. – completely ignoring the truly unprovoked violent attacks on ICE agents, vehicles and facilities for days on end. ; By demonizing federal law enforcement and portraying their presence as a threat, Pritzker has emboldened violent extremists who now see ICE agents as legitimate targets. ;</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Mayor Brandon Johnson has been no better.</strong></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Standing shoulder to shoulder with Pritzker, Johnson called Trump “unstable and unhinged” and described ICE operations in Chicago as “provocations” rather than protective or law enforcement measures. In calling on the public to “resist” ICE activities, it is Johnson who is provoking violence. ; His administration has gone so far as to order police to stand down during violent attacks on ICE facilities – refusing to protect fellow law enforcement officers from violent mobs. ; In a recent incident in Broadview, federal agents were boxed in by armed assailants and forced to fire defensive shots to escape.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The citizens of Chicago are not stupid. ; Johnson’s approval rating has plummeted to under 10 percent, with recent polls showing him underwater among both Democrats and independents. ; (I assume Chicago Republicans have no love for Johnson, but not enough of them to count in the polling.)</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Pritzker and Johnson promote violence</strong></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The consequences of this rhetoric are not theoretical—they are real and dangerous. Over the past week, ICE facilities in Illinois have faced a surge in violent attacks. Agents have been assaulted with rocks, gas, and bottles. Vehicles have been disabled and torched. Protesters have surrounded federal buildings, doxxed agents, and threatened their families. DHS and FBI bulletins warn of a “1,000 percent increase” in targeted assaults against ICE personnel. And yet, Pritzker and Johnson continue to insist that Chicago “does not need help.” ; Gregory Bovino, a top Border Patrol official, accused Pritzker and Johnson of “feeding this violence” and questioned whether they wanted agents to get hurt.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">What they fail to acknowledge is that many residents in high-crime neighborhoods—particularly in segregated Black communities—<em>do</em> want help. Reports from South and West Side neighborhoods reveal that citizens have welcomed ICE patrols and federal support &#8212; seeing them as a stabilizing force amid rampant violence. These communities have suffered for decades under the weight of institutional racism perpetuated by entrenched Democratic political machines. Promises of reform have yielded little change, and now, when federal assistance is finally offered, their leaders reject it out of partisan spite.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">By prioritizing political opposition over public safety, Pritzker and Johnson have aligned themselves with chaos. Their refusal to cooperate with federal law enforcement, their inflammatory language, and their legal maneuvers to block troop deployments have sent a clear message &#8212; partisan loyalty and Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS) trump the well-being of their own constituents.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The irony is staggering. Democrats accuse Republicans of authoritarianism while simultaneously refusing to protect federal officers from violent mobs. They claim to champion justice but remain silent when agents are threatened and assaulted. They speak of equity and inclusion yet ignore the cries for help from the very communities they have failed for generations.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">If this were satire, one might say: “Pritzker and Johnson are so committed to resisting Trump, they would rather let ICE agents be hunted in the streets than admit federal help is beneficial. Perhaps next week, they will host a candlelight vigil for the attackers and call it “restorative justice.”</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">But this is not satire. It is a crisis. And unless Democratic leaders begin to prioritize safety over slogans, the violence will continue—and the communities they claim to serve will suffer most.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">So, there ‘tis.</p>

Pritzker and Johnson represent what is wrong with Democrat leadership
