The Couch Room: A Conversation with Governor J.B. Pritzker
Fighting Everywhere and All at Once: The Democratic Path Forward
The setting is intimate: a university auditorium with subdued lighting. Dr. Marcus Bennett sits across from Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, whose recent barn-burning speech in New Hampshire has ignited Democratic circles nationwide and sparked intense speculation about his potential 2028 presidential run. The audience, made up of students, journalists, and politically engaged citizens, listens intently as the conversation begins about Pritzker's call for Democrats to "fight everywhere and all at once" against the Trump administration.
The Call for a Bolder Democratic Party
Dr. Bennett: "Governor Pritzker, thank you for joining us today in The Couch Room. Your speech in New Hampshire last Sunday has been described as 'fiery,' 'barn-burning,' and even 'unhinged' by some critics. You criticized what you called 'do-nothing Democrats' for being too timid in their approach to opposing the Trump administration. Can you elaborate on why you believe the party needs to drop its caution and, as you put it, 'fight everywhere and all at once' now?"
Governor Pritzker: "Thank you for having me, Dr. Bennett. Let me repeat what I said in my speech because I stand firmly behind those words. I said, 'Fellow Democrats, for far too long we've been guilty of listening to a bunch of do-nothing political types who would tell us that America's house is not on fire, even as the flames are licking their faces.' That's exactly the problem we face today."
Governor Pritzker: "The time for politeness and half-measures is over. Our nation is at a critical juncture where Democrats must be bold and confrontational. I specifically called out the fact that excessive caution has only allowed Republicans to gain power. I told that New Hampshire audience that 'We need to knock off the rust of poll-tested language, decades of stale decorum,' because all that politeness has 'obscured our better instincts.' Instead, we need to 'fight – EVERYWHERE AND ALL AT ONCE' rather than playing defense."
Governor Pritzker: "I want to be clear about something else I said. I explicitly rebuked party moderates who blame electoral losses on Democrats' support for Black people, LGBTQ+ folks, and immigrants – 'instead of their own lack of guts and gumption.' Democrats shouldn't abandon our core values or marginalized communities for the sake of politeness. The party's focus should be on aggressive action to protect American democracy by confronting Republicans head-on."
Dr. Bennett: "That's a strong indictment of your own party's leadership. Why do you think there's been such reluctance among Democrats to take the kind of bold stance you're advocating?"
Governor Pritzker: "Let me be frank. It's fear. Fear of backlash, fear of being labeled as radical, fear of alienating some imaginary middle that consultants keep telling us we need to court. But that fear has paralyzed us while Republicans have been busy dismantling democratic norms with absolute fearlessness. I've seen in Illinois how bold, progressive policies actually win elections and improve people's lives. We need to extend that courage to the national stage."
Everyday Americans Fighting Back
Dr. Bennett: "In your speech, you highlighted several ordinary Americans who have taken creative actions to protest against Trump administration policies. Can you share those examples and explain why you find them inspiring?"
Governor Pritzker: "I'm glad you asked about that. I have these examples still fresh in my head because they inspire me daily. Let me tell you about three everyday Americans who demonstrate the kind of courage we need."
Governor Pritzker: "First, there's Andy Smith from Edwardsville, Illinois, who simply took a homemade sign to a highway intersection to protest the Trump administration. On that first day, she felt 'like a crazy person' standing alone, but she was joined by a dog-walker. By the next day, four friends came. A few days later, they even had a counter-protester who yelled obscenities but later returned to apologize! Now, 300 people join Andy's protests every Friday."
Governor Pritzker: "Then there's Gavin Carpenter, a disabled military veteran working at Yosemite National Park. During a famous annual event when winter sun lights up a waterfall on El Capitan, Gavin climbed to the top and hung an American flag upside down – a distress signal. He did this to protest the cuts Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency was making to our national parks, saying 'We're bringing attention to what's happening to our parks which are every American's properties.'"
Governor Pritzker: "And Lucy Welch, who writes daily snow reports at Vermont's Sugarbush Resort. When Vice President J.D. Vance vacationed there, she wrote a very different kind of report, highlighting how the Trump administration was targeting veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ Americans, immigrant workers, and people of color. She said she was 'using my relative platform as snow reporter to be disruptive' because 'we're living in a really scary time...what we do and don't do matters.'"
Governor Pritzker: "These people are acting on the instinct we teach children: when you see danger, you yell for help at the top of your lungs. We Democrats shouldn't ignore those cries. If everyday citizens can take such bold stands, then Democratic leaders should be willing to do the same."
Constitutional Rights Under Threat
Dr. Bennett: "One of the most striking parts of your speech concerned Trump's immigration policies, which you framed not just as immigration issues but as attacks on constitutional rights. You spoke quite passionately about due process and the rule of law. Could you expand on your concerns?"
Governor Pritzker: "I approached this with a very fundamental American principle in mind. Let me quote exactly what I said: 'Let's start with something that should be easy to say: It's wrong to snatch a person off the street and ship them to a foreign gulag with no chance to defend themselves in a court of law.'"
Governor Pritzker: "This isn't about immigration policy – it's about the Constitution and habeas corpus, a fundamental right dating back to the Magna Carta. Our founders considered it so vital they wrote it directly into the Constitution. Jefferson called it 'the essential principle of government.' Franklin warned that those who give it up deserve neither liberty nor security."
Governor Pritzker: "What's happening now is unconscionable. I gave a jarring example in my speech: 'Remember, Trump, just last week, arrested and deported three children under eight years old. U.S. citizens, all of them.' One was a four-year-old with stage four cancer. Let that sink in. American children being deported without due process."
Governor Pritzker: "I want to emphasize: standing for due process shouldn't be partisan. 'Standing for the idea that the government doesn't have the right to kidnap you without due process is arguably the most effective campaign slogan in history.' If we don't draw this line now, who's next? As I said, 'Today it's an immigrant with a tattoo. Tomorrow it's a citizen whose Facebook post annoys Donald Trump.'"
Personal Heritage and Standing Against Authoritarianism
Dr. Bennett: "At one point in your speech, you made a powerful statement drawing on your Jewish heritage. You said, 'Stop tearing down the Constitution in the name of my ancestors.' As a Jewish American with Ukrainian roots, what did you mean by that statement?"
Governor Pritzker: "This is deeply personal for me. My family emigrated to America from Ukraine when Russians were killing Jews during the pogroms. We came as refugees with nothing but the shirts on our backs. America accepted us and gave us opportunity. That experience shapes my view of what's happening now."
Governor Pritzker: "I'm specifically responding to how the Trump administration has weaponized antisemitism as a pretext for authoritarian measures – like proposals to deport foreign students who participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. My message is simple: don't use Jewish people's history of suffering as an excuse to grab power or strip away rights."
Governor Pritzker: "As I said in my speech: 'Do not claim that your authoritarian power grabs are about combating antisemitism when you destroy social justice, you are disparaging the very foundation of Judaism.' I see echoes of history in current events – there are troubling parallels between Trump's rhetoric and the early days of Nazi Germany."
Governor Pritzker: "My chief of staff, Anne Caprara, has explained that my approach 'stems from family history' and the lesson that 'What we're seeing right now is 1930s Germany... The only way to actually stop that from happening is to be very loud and vocal in pushback.' As a Ukrainian-American Jew, I feel a moral obligation to speak out vehemently against authoritarian power grabs masquerading as patriotism or protection."
Immigration and Economic Reality
Dr. Bennett: "Republicans often claim Democrats want 'open borders' or are soft on crime. You addressed these claims directly in your speech. Can you clarify your position on immigration and public safety?"
Governor Pritzker: "I directly attacked what I called the MAGA 'myth' that Democrats want violent criminals on the streets or unchecked immigration. I stated clearly that 'Democrats do not want undocumented immigrants who are convicted of violent crimes to stay in the country.' Let me be absolutely clear: no one in the Democratic Party wants rapists or murderers roaming free."
Governor Pritzker: "I called for 'real, sensible immigration reform' – the key word being sensible, balancing enforcement with humanity. At the same time, I passionately defended the value of immigrants to America. As I said, 'Immigration – with all its struggles and complexities – is part of the secret sauce that makes America great, always.'"
Governor Pritzker: "I shared this powerful statistic: 'Forty-six percent of Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or the children of immigrants.' The success of the U.S. economy 'depends upon immigrants.' In fact, I warned that Trump's xenophobic policies are self-sabotaging – they'll likely cause the U.S. economy to falter by driving away talent and labor that America needs."
Trump Administration's Sabotage of Government
Dr. Bennett: "You painted a very stark picture of President Trump's administration – suggesting they're deliberately undermining American institutions. You used the phrase 'making America fail on purpose.' Can you elaborate on why you believe Trump's cabinet is intentionally sabotaging the country?"
Governor Pritzker: "I believe the evidence speaks for itself. Look at who Trump has appointed to lead key departments – people who fundamentally oppose the missions of their own agencies. I ticked off a list in my speech: a Secretary of Education who 'hates teachers and schools,' a Secretary of Transportation who 'hates public transit,' an Attorney General who 'hates the Constitution,' and a Secretary of State who is himself the son of refugees but is on a crusade to expel immigrants and refugees."
Governor Pritzker: "Then there's the head of Trump's new Department of Government Efficiency – Elon Musk, an immigrant-turned-tech-mogul – who I accused of trying to 'destroy the American middle class to fund tax cuts for himself.' And Trump's Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who I described as 'a weird nepo baby who once stashed a dead bear in the back seat of his car,' and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, 'a washed-up Fox TV commentator' unfit to lead troops."
Governor Pritzker: "And Donald Trump himself – a president who 'claims to love America' but 'hates our military so much that he calls them losers and suckers' and couldn't delay a golf outing to honor fallen U.S. soldiers. This administration is deliberately betraying American values and hurting people instead of helping them."
The Human Cost of Trump's Policies
Dr. Bennett: "You provided several examples of how average Americans are being hurt by Trump administration policies. Could you share some of those examples and explain who you said doesn't 'deserve' what's happening to them?"
Governor Pritzker: "I used a repeated refrain of 'don't deserve' to emphasize the human cost. Let me paraphrase what I said: Small businesses don't deserve to be bankrupted by Trump's 'unsustainable tariffs.' Retirees don't deserve to have their life savings imperiled by a Social Security Administration 'decimated by Elon Musk.' Everyday citizens don't deserve to lose healthcare coverage just for another billionaire tax cut."
Governor Pritzker: "I added that federal workers don't deserve to have their careers ruined by, as I colorfully put it, 'a 19-year-old DOGE bro called Big Balls' put in charge of their fate. Autistic children and adults who contribute to society don't deserve to be stigmatized by RFK Jr.'s antivax conspiracies. And military service members don't deserve to be told they can't serve their country by Pete Hegseth simply because they're Black, female, or LGBTQ."
Governor Pritzker: "I openly embraced my anger at these injustices, saying, 'If it sounds like I'm becoming contemptuous of Donald Trump and the people that he has elevated, it's because... I am. You should be too.' I called Trump's cronies 'an affront to every value this country was founded upon.' In my view, righteous outrage is exactly what this situation calls for."
The Impossibility of Compromise
Dr. Bennett: "Some Democrats advocate finding common ground or negotiating with Trump's administration. You had a bold response to that approach, saying 'Stop thinking we can reason or negotiate with a madman.' Do you really believe there's no possibility for compromise or bipartisan cooperation?"
Governor Pritzker: "My unequivocal answer is no, you can't reason with the unreasonable. Democrats must stop fooling themselves that compromise is possible with Trump or the MAGA movement. I told the crowd bluntly, 'Stop thinking we can reason or negotiate with a madman.'"
Governor Pritzker: "Trump's lust for power – and the enablers around him – simply don't respond to good-faith dialogue. I pointed out the hypocrisy of many Trump-aligned Republicans, urging Democrats to 'stop ignoring the hypocrisy' of people 'wearing a big gold cross while announcing the defunding of children's cancer research.'"
Governor Pritzker: "I also quipped that we should 'stop wondering if you can trust the nuclear codes to people who don't know how to organize a group chat.' Trump's team has proven itself incompetent and untrustworthy to such an extreme degree that treating them as normal partners is dangerous."
Governor Pritzker: "I even warned against Democrats in our own ranks who counsel moderation: the 'simpering timidity' of some centrists, I said, only 'served as a kindle for the arsonists' in America's burning house. Instead of meeting in the middle with an extremist movement, we need moral clarity and backbone."
A Call to Action
Dr. Bennett: "Your speech built up to a powerful call to action that has generated significant controversy. You said, 'Never before in my life have I called for mass protests, for mobilization, for disruption – but I am now.' What exactly are you calling for, and have you been misunderstood by critics who suggest you're advocating violence?"
Governor Pritzker: "Let me be crystal clear about what I meant. I am calling for peaceful civic engagement and democratic resistance – megaphones, not guns. I explicitly called for Americans to 'castigate them on the soap box, and then punish them at the ballot box.' Those who suggest I'm advocating violence are deliberately misinterpreting my words."
Governor Pritzker: "When I said, 'These Republicans cannot know a moment of peace,' I meant they should face continuous public pressure and accountability, not physical threats. I was talking about using 'every megaphone and microphone that we have' to fight against cruelty. This is about civic mobilization, peaceful protest, and electoral organization."
Governor Pritzker: "As for my message of hope, I told the crowd, 'Cowardice can be contagious, but so too can courage.' And 'just as the hope that we hold onto in the darkness shines with its own special light,' courage and resistance can illuminate a path forward. I expressed confidence that Americans will ultimately preserve their democracy through collective action."
Governor Pritzker: "I ended my speech by saying, 'Tonight, I'm telling you what I'm willing to do – is fight. Fight for our democracy, for our liberty, for the opportunity for all our people to live lives that are meaningful and free.' And then I asked the essential question: 'Are you ready for the fight?' I'm asking for Americans to stand up, everywhere and all at once, for the country they believe in."
Presidential Ambitions and Future Plans
Dr. Bennett: "Governor, I have to ask the question on everyone's mind. Your speech in New Hampshire – traditionally the first primary state – has sparked intense speculation about your presidential ambitions for 2028. When someone in the audience shouted 'There's our next president,' you didn't correct them. Are you positioning yourself for a presidential run?"
Governor Pritzker: "I'm flattered by the question, but right now I'm focused on what Democrats need to do to win in 2026. The midterm elections will be crucial for building momentum toward 2028. But I won't be coy – I believe the Democratic Party needs bold leadership that isn't afraid to stand up to Trump and the MAGA movement. Whether that leader is me or someone else, what matters is that we find our courage as a party."
Governor Pritzker: "My approach differs from some other potential contenders like Governors Whitmer and Shapiro, who have advocated more bipartisan collaboration with Trump. I respect them, but I fundamentally disagree with that strategy. My chief of staff explained my philosophy well: 'What we're seeing right now is 1930s Germany. The only way to actually stop that from happening is to be very loud and vocal in pushback.'"
Governor Pritzker: "So, while I'm not announcing anything today, I do believe the Democratic Party needs to make a clear choice about its direction. Are we going to be the party of bold resistance and transformative change, or are we going to keep compromising with those who have no interest in compromise? I know where I stand."
Audience Questions
Dr. Bennett: "We'd now like to open the floor to questions from our audience. Please keep your questions focused on practical engagement and the vision Governor Pritzker has outlined."
College Activist: "Governor Pritzker, your call for mass mobilization is inspiring, but many of us are unsure what that looks like in practice. What specific forms of nonviolent action would be most effective against the Trump administration, and how do we organize them?"
Governor Pritzker: "Let me refer back to the examples I shared in my speech. Andy Smith started with just one person holding a sign at a busy intersection. That grew to 300 people. Gavin Carpenter used a symbolic action – hanging an upside-down flag at a national park. Lucy Welch leveraged her position writing snow reports to speak truth to power. These are perfect examples of nonviolent action starting small and growing.
Governor Pritzker: "Effective actions can include peaceful protests at government buildings, coordinated letter-writing campaigns to Congress, economic pressure through targeted boycotts, and community teach-ins about constitutional rights. The key is consistency and escalation – start with what you can manage, then build. Democrats are getting more organized in creating support networks for these activities, but it really begins with individual initiative."
Retired Teacher: "You mentioned 'waking up' to the danger we face. Many Americans still don't see the threat. How do we help people 'wake up' without alienating them or sounding like alarmists?"
Governor Pritzker: "That's the challenge, isn't it? I find the most effective approach is to focus on concrete examples rather than abstract warnings. When I talk about U.S. citizen children being deported or habeas corpus being violated, these are specific, documentable events that cut across partisan lines. Most Americans believe in basic fairness and due process.
Governor Pritzker: "Start conversations not with ideology but with stories – like the ones I shared about Andy, Gavin, and Lucy. Stories wake people up because they connect emotionally. Then move to the principles at stake: rule of law, due process, checks on executive power. These aren't 'woke' values; they're American values that have protected us for centuries."
Media Studies Professor: "You've talked about using 'every megaphone and microphone we have.' What does effective media activism look like today when traditional media is often ignored and social media is so siloed?"
Governor Pritzker: "Media activism today requires creativity and persistence. Look at Lucy Welch – she transformed a routine snow report into political commentary that got national attention. That's brilliant media activism.
Governor Pritzker: "Effective media strategies include documenting government overreach in real time, creating compelling shareable content that breaks through bubbles, supporting independent journalism financially, and yes, using traditional channels like letters to the editor and call-ins to talk radio. The key is consistency and authenticity – speak from your own experience and expertise."
Media Studies Professor: "But what about the algorithmic bubbles that keep people isolated in their information ecosystems?"
Governor Pritzker: "That's exactly why I emphasize local, in-person action. When Andy Smith stands on a street corner with a sign, she's breaking through algorithmic bubbles. Physical presence in communities – school board meetings, town halls, community centers – creates connections that algorithms can't filter. Local newspapers still matter tremendously. And remember, many Trump voters are feeling the economic pain of his policies – that creates openings for genuine dialogue about shared concerns."
Small Business Owner: "Governor, you come from enormous wealth and privilege. How can you understand what everyday people need to do? And what resources are you personally committing to this fight?"
Governor Pritzker: "That's a fair question. Yes, I've been fortunate in life, but my privilege gives me a platform and resources that I believe come with responsibility. In Illinois, I've used my position to advance policies that directly help working families – raising the minimum wage, expanding healthcare access, investing in education.
Governor Pritzker: "As for my personal commitment, I've consistently put my resources behind progressive causes and candidates who champion democratic values. I've funded grassroots organizing efforts, voter registration drives, and legal challenges to unconstitutional policies. But you're right that I can't fully understand every struggle. That's why I try to amplify voices like Andy, Gavin, and Lucy – everyday Americans showing extraordinary courage."
Union Organizer: "You've called for mass mobilization, but many working people can't afford to take time off for protests. How do we build a movement that's truly inclusive of working-class Americans?"
Governor Pritzker: "This is critically important. A democratic movement must include working people or it's not truly democratic. That's why I've emphasized that resistance takes many forms. Not everyone can attend weekday protests, but many can make phone calls during lunch breaks, display symbols of solidarity at their workplaces, or contribute to community mutual aid networks.
Governor Pritzker: "Labor unions have always been central to democratic movements because they provide structure and support for working people's participation. In Illinois, we've strengthened labor protections precisely because organized workers are essential to a functioning democracy. The most effective movements create multiple pathways for participation that accommodate different life circumstances."
High School Student: "I'll be voting for the first time in 2028. What can young people like me do now to prepare for that election and make our voices heard in the meantime?"
Governor Pritzker: "First, congratulations on approaching your first vote! That's a powerful civic moment. Don't wait until 2028 to engage. Start by educating yourself on democratic processes – not just presidential politics but local governance, which often affects daily life more directly.
Governor Pritzker: "Young people are often the most creative political communicators. Use the platforms you understand better than my generation does! Create content that explains democratic values in authentic ways. Organize in your schools around issues that matter to you. Register voters when your classmates turn 18. And remember that the 2026 midterms will be crucial in setting the stage for 2028 – that's your first chance to vote, and it matters enormously."
Legal Aid Attorney: "You've spoken about constitutional rights being violated. What specific legal strategies should we be pursuing, and how can ordinary citizens support these efforts?"
Governor Pritzker: "The legal front is absolutely critical in this fight. We need coordinated litigation challenging unconstitutional executive orders, deportations without due process, and other violations. Organizations like the ACLU, immigration legal aid groups, and state attorneys general are leading much of this work.
Governor Pritzker: "Citizens can support these efforts by documenting violations they witness, contributing to legal defense funds, and pressuring their state officials to join multi-state lawsuits against federal overreach. Legal challenges alone won't be sufficient – they need to be paired with political pressure – but they're essential to preserving constitutional guardrails while we work to restore democratic governance."
Community Organizer: "Your speech inspired many of us, but speeches alone don't create change. What concrete support is the Democratic Party providing to grassroots organizing efforts, and how can we access those resources?"
Governor Pritzker: "You're absolutely right that speeches must be followed by substantive support. The Democratic Party is expanding its organizing infrastructure, offering trainings in community organizing techniques, digital coordination, and volunteer management. State parties are increasingly functioning as hubs that connect grassroots efforts with resources and expertise.
Governor Pritzker: "To access these resources, I'd recommend starting with your local Democratic Party chapter, which can connect you to state and national support. But I'll also be candid – the party structure is still catching up to the moment's urgency. That's why I've emphasized that citizens shouldn't wait for perfect institutional support. Start organizing now, where you are, with what you have, and connect with party infrastructure as it develops."
Interfaith Leader: "You invoked your Jewish heritage in speaking against authoritarianism. How can different faith communities work together in this resistance while respecting our diverse traditions?"
Governor Pritzker: "Faith communities have historically been powerful centers of democratic resistance because they're grounded in moral principles that transcend partisan politics. Whether it's tikkun olam in Judaism, the beloved community in Christianity, or social justice in Islam, many faith traditions share core values about human dignity and compassion.
Governor Pritzker: "Interfaith coalitions can be particularly effective because they demonstrate that democratic values aren't partisan – they're human. Faith communities often have physical gathering spaces, established trust networks, and moral authority that can be channeled toward democratic renewal. The key is focusing on shared values while honoring distinct traditions, and always ensuring that religious arguments are offered as moral persuasion, not as demands for theocratic governance."
Dr. Bennett: "Thank you, Governor Pritzker, for addressing these thoughtful questions from our audience. Your call to action has clearly resonated with many here today, and you've provided some concrete ways for people to channel their concerns into meaningful civic engagement."
Governor Pritzker: "Thank you all for these excellent questions. They demonstrate exactly what I believe – that Americans across all walks of life are ready to stand up for democracy. Not out of partisan loyalty, but out of love for the constitutional principles that protect all of us. The road ahead is challenging, but as I look around this room, I see the courage and commitment that will ultimately prevail. The fight is everywhere, and it's all of us, together."
Final Thoughts
Dr. Bennett: "As we conclude, what message would you like our audience to take away from this conversation? What do you want them to understand about your vision for Democratic resistance to the Trump administration?"
Governor Pritzker: "I want everyone to understand that this isn't about partisan politics – it's about preserving American democracy and the Constitution. When I look around, I see everyday Americans like Andy, Gavin, and Lucy already leading the way with courage and creativity. They're not waiting for permission or perfect conditions to stand up for what's right."
Governor Pritzker: "My message is simple: The time for half-measures and politeness is over. Democracy requires action, not just talk. As I said in my speech, 'Despair is an indulgence we cannot afford in the times upon which history turns.' Instead of giving in to despair, we must mobilize. We must hold this administration accountable with our voices and our votes."
Governor Pritzker: "History will judge us not by our comfort but by our courage. So I'll ask today what I asked in New Hampshire: Are you ready for the fight? Because democracy needs you now."
Dr. Bennett:
"Thank you, Governor Pritzker, for the candid conversation. And thanks to our audience. This has been an illuminating evening in The Couch Room. Until next time, good night everyone!"
Dr. Bennett reaches over to shake Governor Pritzker's hand. The audience erupts in applause, some members giving a standing ovation.
With that, the town hall comes to a close.