President Trump said Monday he plans to send National Guard troops to Memphis as part of what he calls an effort to fight crime. He added that he still hopes to deploy troops to Chicago, though it remains unclear how he can legally do so. The announcement gives new relevance to a recent interview with Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, who has refused to request military assistance.
The interview offered a chance to hear Pritzker respond to an immigration enforcement surge in Chicago — and to hear directly from a governor often mentioned as a potential presidential contender.
Pritzker spoke with NPR’s Steve Inskeep in Pilsen, a Chicago neighborhood known for its colorful murals honoring its Hispanic heritage.
Democrats have floated Pritzker’s name as a possible candidate since 2022–2023, when he was seen as an alternative to President Biden if Biden chose not to run. As governor of a large state and a billionaire, Pritzker could easily jump-start funding for a campaign.
“Oh, I had no aim or desire. I didn’t take it seriously, other than I’m flattered,” he told NPR. When Biden eventually dropped out in 2024, it was too late for a primary challenge, and Pritzker backed Kamala Harris, the president’s choice.
Will the 2028 race be different? Pritzker hasn’t said, but he hinted that he feels prepared. “There are things that governors will learn in their executive functions and things that I came into office understanding, having executive positions in the private sector, that are very helpful in running any kind of organization — especially the largest organization that exists in the United States,” he said.
He is among several governors — including California’s Gavin Newsom, Michigan’s Gretchen Whitmer, and Kentucky’s Andy Beshear — who may see an opening. Democrats and Republicans alike will be studying interviews like this one for clues about what’s ahead.
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