Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker rallies with Texas Democrats, calls Trump a ‘cheater’
Joined by national and state Democratic leaders, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker accused President Donald Trump and Republicans of trying to cheat American democracy ahead of the 2026 midterm elections by redrawing Texas' congressional maps.
The 60-year-old Illinois leader, a possible presidential contender, said Democratic governors cannot ignore Trump's aggressive steps, which under the Texas GOP plan would push as many as five House Democrats out of office.
Such a move would provide national Republicans with a slightly heftier cushion next year to protect their slim majority in the House of Representatives as they prepare to defend Trump's agenda and other controversial moves.
"Donald Trump is a cheater... and if they're going to cheat, then all of us have to take a hard look at what the effect of that cheating is on democracy, and that means we've all got to stand up and do the right thing," Pritzker said at an Aug. 5 press conference, flanked by Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin along with Texas Democrats and others.
"So as far as I'm concerned, everything is on the table," he added.
The comments underscore a noticeable shift within the Democratic ranks among even institutionally-minded party and elected leaders who have been hesitant to embrace the mantra of "fighting fire with fire."
But many grassroots progressives and their allies have demanded for months that the party take a more aggressive approach, citing how the administration and its MAGA-aligned allies have been bending several U.S. institutions to their will since Trump's return to power.
Asked if Texas is providing Democratic-controlled state leaders with a roadmap on how to draw their own maps, Martin told reporters at the press conference that the party will fight back in the same way.
"Our constitution is under assault. Voting rights are being completely violated," he said. "Now is not the time for one party to play by the rules while the other party has completely ignored it."
Earlier in the day, Trump, appearing on CNBC by telephone, said Republicans were "entitled" to the five new seats drafted by a Texas House committee on Aug. 2, and called out the group of Texas Democrats who fled to liberal-leaning states, saying those places have been using the same tactics when crafting their congressional districts.
"Do you notice they go to Illinois for safety, but that's all gerrymandered," he said. "California is gerrymandered. We should have many more seats in Congress. It's all gerrymandered."
This story will be updated.