Illinois Governor JB Pritzker made a surprising statement Thursday on Fox News, crediting former President Donald Trump for reducing border problems during his tenure. In a conversation with host Bret Baier on Special Report, Pritzker said, “Since President Trump has taken office, we don’t have the problem that existed before with people coming across the border.”
This admission is particularly interesting given Pritzker’s staunch Democratic stance and his ongoing criticism of Trump’s immigration policies. The governor explained that while he had written a letter to President Biden requesting help with the influx of migrants sent to Chicago by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, he saw a notable shift under Trump’s administration. Pritzker acknowledged that during Trump’s time in office, border issues seemed more contained than under the Biden administration, though he criticized Trump for not pursuing comprehensive immigration reform.
Pritzker added, “What I would suggest, though, is there’s one more thing he could have done... He could have proposed comprehensive immigration reform and gotten it passed.” He argued that Trump’s control over Congress, the judiciary, and the White House presented an opportunity to enact sweeping reform, but it never came to fruition. The governor expressed frustration that Trump focused on sending troops and federal agents to the border instead of crafting a long-term legislative solution to immigration, something he believes could have gained bipartisan support.
“We need borders,” Pritzker conceded, “but let’s deal with immigration with an actual bill that Democrats and Republicans can rally around.” He pointed out that comprehensive immigration reform had been accomplished in the past and that after 40 years, it was time to address the issue once and for all.
Pritzker’s comments, while surprising given his usual rhetoric on Trump, highlight a growing frustration within both parties over the failure to pass meaningful immigration reform. It also shows a willingness to acknowledge some of the Trump administration's successes in managing border security, even while calling for more comprehensive solutions moving forward.
