Pritzker’s call for mass protests sparks call for investigation over ‘criminal incitement’

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — An Illinois lawmaker is calling for an investigation of Gov. JB Pritzker for criminal incitement after he called for “mass protests” and “disruption,” adding “Republicans cannot know a moment of peace,” while at a Democratic fundraising event over the weekend.

Illinois GOP Chairman Kathy Salvi said the governor’s comments shouldn’t be taken lightly, after two assassination attempts were made against President Donald Trump.

“And I can only hope and pray that no violence and harm comes to any person on account of those irresponsible and incendiary remarks,” Salvi told The Center Square.

Trump’s Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller said Pritzker’s comments “could be construed as inciting violence.”

“He didn’t say about peaceful protests last night, again words matter and he can’t walk back the words that he used last night,” Salvi said. “If I were in charge and I had a say, it would be my opinion that there should be an open investigation for criminal incitement by this governor, because words matter.”

“Never before in my life have I called for mass protests, for mobilization, for disruption. But I am now,” Pritzker said in his keynote address at the New Hampshire Democratic Party’s McIntyre-Shaheen 100 Club Dinner.

“These Republicans cannot know a moment of peace,” he continued. “They have to understand that we will fight their cruelty with every megaphone and microphone that we have.”

“We will never join so many Republicans in the special place in hell reserved for quislings and cowards,” Pritzker added. “We will relegate their portraits to the museum halls reserved for tyrants and traitors.”

In his State of the State address in February, Pritzker drew parallels between Trump’s political agenda and the rise of Nazi Germany.

At a rally with students of the University of Illinois-Chicago on Monday, Pritzker downplayed his recent remarks, saying he wasn’t calling for violence.

“I called for people to take out their megaphones and their microphones, to stand up on soap boxes and get to the ballot box in order to defeat the people who are trying to take away so many things from the American people,” Pritzker said.

MSNBC political commentator Jen Psaki, former aide to President Joe Biden, called the speech “a call to action” for Democrats as they look to 2028.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.