By Daniel Nardini
“You come for my people, you come through me.” Those are the bravest and most reassuring words I have heard from someone who knows who the 47th president-elect really is. Striking a defiant tone, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has made it clear that he will not let President-elect Donald Trump cross a red line to harm the people of Illinois. Pritzker will fight against authoritarian polices and extra-legal attacks that may be used by Trump to cut funding to vulnerable communities, use federal forces to seize individuals Trump may not like, and prevent Trump from violating the U.S. and Illinois constitutions. Pritzker has made it abundantly clear that Illinois is a state steeped in the rule of law, and that no rogue president has a right or the legitimate power to trample on the laws and legal procedures that make-up this state.
It is sad that Pritzker’s authority does not stretch beyond the confines of Illinois. He can at best only protect people within the borders of Illinois. Hopefully Pritzker and all the Illinois authorities can counter all of the dirty tricks and subterfuge that Trump will throw our way. In my view, Pritzker has put himself on the line against a man who will not respect the rule of law. As for the other states held by the Democrats? I cannot answer, but I hope they will also hold the line against Trump. California Governor Gavin Newxom is preparing policies to “Trump-proof” the state from attacks and other extra-legal procedures that soon-to-be President Trump may enact.
I know I have had my criticisms of Governor Pritzker in the past. In a way I regret them now. But one important difference in my view between Governor Pritzker and Trump is that when I criticized Pritzker I was never jailed for political dissent. Trump has made it clear that he “wants to use the army to crush the enemy within.” For all that Pritzker may have done wrong in the past, he believes in the rule of law, and in both the Illinois and U.S. constitutions. Can I say the same thing for incoming President Trump? In part, Trump ran for the presidency to keep out of jail after being found guilty of 34 felonies and attain total power. This is a man who has spat on the rule of law, and could not be more of a polar opposite from the current governor of Illinois. For all his faults, J.B. Pritzker is the embodiment of all the best of not only the United States but the state of Illinois. All of this makes for a truly brave man.
A Truly Brave Man
By Daniel Nardini
It is sad that Pritzker’s authority does not stretch beyond the confines of Illinois. He can at best only protect people within the borders of Illinois. Hopefully Pritzker and all the Illinois authorities can counter all of the dirty tricks and subterfuge that Trump will throw our way. In my view, Pritzker has put himself on the line against a man who will not respect the rule of law. As for the other states held by the Democrats? I cannot answer, but I hope they will also hold the line against Trump. California Governor Gavin Newxom is preparing policies to “Trump-proof” the state from attacks and other extra-legal procedures that soon-to-be President Trump may enact.
I know I have had my criticisms of Governor Pritzker in the past. In a way I regret them now. But one important difference in my view between Governor Pritzker and Trump is that when I criticized Pritzker I was never jailed for political dissent. Trump has made it clear that he “wants to use the army to crush the enemy within.” For all that Pritzker may have done wrong in the past, he believes in the rule of law, and in both the Illinois and U.S. constitutions. Can I say the same thing for incoming President Trump? In part, Trump ran for the presidency to keep out of jail after being found guilty of 34 felonies and attain total power. This is a man who has spat on the rule of law, and could not be more of a polar opposite from the current governor of Illinois. For all his faults, J.B. Pritzker is the embodiment of all the best of not only the United States but the state of Illinois. All of this makes for a truly brave man.