David Axelrod Advises Illinois Governor on Presidential Politics

Former Obama adviser David Axelrod cautioned Illinois Governor JB Pritzker against engaging in 2028 presidential politics, especially as he continues to oppose President Trump’s proposal to send the National Guard to Chicago.

Axelrod expressed respect for Pritzker but suggested that the governor’s stance should be, “We can seek all possible help, provided it’s truly beneficial.” He also noted that the National Guard isn’t equipped for such tasks, responding to Trump’s announcement about their deployment.

“We want the necessary resources to address criminal activity, especially if it involves violent illegal immigrants,” Axelrod remarked, stressing a collaborative approach. He contrasted this with the idea of using the National Guard as a political maneuver, which, in his view, could be appealing to Trump due to the crime situation in Chicago.

Pritzker, along with fellow Illinois leaders, has made it clear that they are not welcoming National Guard troops. Axelrod warned that Trump might be trying to manipulate the situation for political gain. “People deserve to be charged appropriately. There are concerns about arrest rates in Chicago, and we definitely could use more law enforcement,” Axelrod stated. Still, he questioned the sincerity of Trump’s intentions, saying, “Are you here to genuinely help, or is this just political posturing?”

Joe Scarborough from MSNBC suggested that Pritzker should consider collaborating with Trump to tackle crime in the city, proposing a direct conversation with the president about the deployment of the National Guard.

In the meantime, crime statistics continue to raise concerns, as evidenced by recent incidents over Labor Day weekend. Scarborough criticized democratic leadership for downplaying the crime issue, emphasizing a need for protection of citizens over political image.

Pritzker’s office did not respond immediately to requests for further comment.