Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Monday insisted he had never called Republicans "Nazis," a claim that drew immediate pushback from conservatives who pointed to remarks he made earlier this year comparing the newly installed Trump administration to the rise of Nazi Germany. The exchange came as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle traded accusations about heated political rhetoric in the wake of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
At a news conference in which he condemned Kirk’s killing and urged cooler rhetoric, Pritzker told reporters, "That is completely false. I have never called Republicans ‘Nazis.’" He repeated criticism of President Donald Trump, saying the president had ‘‘actively fanned the flames of division’’ and had failed to tamp down anger after recent episodes of political violence.
Conservatives and Illinois Republicans posted video clips on X (formerly Twitter) showing Pritzker’s Feb. state of the state address in which he warned of an "authoritarian playbook" and compared the newly inaugurated Trump administration to the rise of Nazi Germany. In that speech, Pritzker said, "If you think I’m overreacting and sounding the alarm too soon, consider this: It took the Nazis one month, three weeks, two days, eight hours, and 40 minutes to dismantle a constitutional republic," and added, "Tyranny requires your fear and your silence and your compliance. Democracy requires your courage."
Republican officials and conservative commentators also cited remarks Pritzker made in April, when he urged mass mobilization against Republican officials and said, "These Republicans cannot know a moment of peace," language critics say contributes to a toxic political environment. Illinois House Republicans published a post Monday accusing the governor of mischaracterizing his record and called attention to the prior comments.
The dispute has taken on new urgency amid impeachment efforts against Pritzker. Illinois Republican state Rep. Chris Miller filed articles of impeachment earlier in September, alleging the governor’s rhetoric amounted to incitement of violence incompatible with his duties. On Monday, Republican state Rep. Adam Niemerg filed a new impeachment resolution invoking the Sept. 10 assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, saying in a statement that Pritzker’s remarks "are providing legitimacy to radicals who are committing these heinous crimes against people like Charlie Kirk."
Kirk was fatally shot while attending an event at Utah Valley University. He was struck in the neck while seated under a tent and talking with students, and his death prompted a national debate about political rhetoric and safety for public figures. Kirk leaves behind his wife and two young children. A funeral planned for Sunday in Arizona is expected to draw Republican leaders, including former President Trump.
Legal and political experts say the path to impeachment and removal in Illinois would be difficult. Impeachment requires approval by the Illinois House and a trial and conviction in the state Senate. Both chambers are controlled by Democrats in the heavily Democratic state, and the only Illinois governor to be removed from office was Rod Blagojevich, who was impeached and convicted in 2009 on federal corruption charges.
Pritzker, who has condemned Kirk’s assassination as "horrifying," has called for a general toning down of political rhetoric. At Monday’s briefing he said, "This should come from the top, but with each crisis in the last few years, we can’t rely on President Trump to tamp down the anger and the passion in the aftermath of political violence." He added that he does not believe the nation is at war with itself.
Fox News Digital reported it sought comment from the governor’s office Tuesday morning regarding the criticisms and the impeachment resolutions but had not received an immediate response.
The dispute between Pritzker and his critics underscores a broader national debate over whether harsh political language contributes to real-world violence and how elected officials should be held to account for rhetoric. The competing claims about Pritzker’s words and intent have become a focal point in Illinois politics as state Republicans press for formal action while Democratic leaders signal the improbability of removal.
