JB Pritzker Claims He Lives Rent-Free in Trump’s Head, Then Cameraman Breaks the Internet [WATCH]

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday warned President Donald Trump against deploying the National Guard to Chicago, telling reporters the city does not meet the threshold for such federal action and that no coordination had occurred with state or local leaders.

Anyone who lives in Chicago knows full well that 6am on the lakefront is not where the car jackings and murders happen. The Governor knows this too. https://t.co/SqqF0tRMFR

— Matt Finn (@MattFinnFNC) August 25, 2025

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Speaking at a press availability along the Chicago River, Pritzker argued that a National Guard deployment was unnecessary and characterized the White House’s push as political theater.

“We have crime like other cities do, but let’s be clear, we are actually in better shape than the 30 biggest cities across the United States,” he said.

“It’s important to understand that the president of the United States is doing this for theatrics.”

“There is not an emergency in the city of Chicago, there is nothing that calls for having troops on the streets of the city of Chicago. We have crime like other cities do, but let’s be clear, we are actually in better shape than the 30 biggest cities across the United States.… pic.twitter.com/CTZhYCYHCq

— Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) August 25, 2025

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Pritzker said activating troops in a major U.S. city would require a compelling justification that he does not see in Chicago’s current public-safety conditions.

“Calling the military into a U.S. city to invade our streets and neighborhoods and disrupt the lives of everyday people is an extraordinary action, and it should require extraordinary justification,” Pritzker continued.

Gesturing toward the nearby riverwalk, he added: “Does this look like an emergency?”

PRITZKER: “I live rent free in the President’s head.”

Wait ’til the end. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/wPiB3xSi0b

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) August 25, 2025

The governor also said the administration had not reached out to coordinate any possible deployment.

“No one from the White House or the executive branch has reached out to me or to the mayor,” Pritzker said.

“No one has reached out to our staffs. No effort has been made to coordinate or to ask for our assistance in identifying any actions that might be helpful to us.”

Pritzker’s remarks followed comments from President Trump last week suggesting that a National Guard mission in Chicago could be considered after recent federal action in Washington, D.C.

The president has long criticized conditions in Chicago and escalated those critiques on Friday.

He described the city as “a mess” and indicated that active-duty troops might be required.

“We’ll straighten that one out,” Trump said, adding that after Washington, D.C., “I think Chicago will be our next, and then we’ll help with New York.”

President Trump says Chicago is the next target for a crime crackdown after DC:

“Chicago’s a mess. You have an incompetent mayor, grossly incompetent. And we’ll straighten that one out probably next… that will be our next one… and it won’t even be tough.” pic.twitter.com/RGlanxggA1

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) August 22, 2025

The exchange highlighted the divide between federal and state officials over the threshold for using military forces in domestic public-safety roles.

Pritzker maintained that Chicago’s crime situation compares favorably to other large cities and that state and local law enforcement remain responsible for public safety.

He emphasized that any substantial federal intervention should be coordinated with state and municipal authorities.

Pritzker also continued a line of criticism he has voiced since the 2024 campaign, questioning the president’s decision-making while rejecting the need for federal troops in Chicago.