Democratic Illinois Governor JB Pritzker stated on Wednesday that the FBI was not welcome to pursue Texas lawmakers who traveled to Illinois to delay a vote on a rezoning proposal. In an interview on “News Note Noise with Jessica Yellin,” Pritzker asserted that the FBI lacks jurisdiction in this matter since the Texas legislators have not broken any federal laws. Texas Senator John Cornyn had previously written to FBI Director Kash Patel urging the agency to take action against those lawmakers for allegedly trying to evade their responsibilities.
“There’s no federal law relevant here, seriously,” Pritzker remarked during the interview. He added that while agents might show up, local law enforcement in Illinois would ensure everyone’s safety. If Texas legislators faced arrest, it would be a local matter.
Pritzker also dismissed Cornyn’s request as a political stunt, emphasizing that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is currently involved in a battle for his U.S. Senate seat. He made pointed remarks about former President Trump and Texas Governor Greg Abbott, saying, “We follow the law, unlike Trump, who hasn’t in the past. And the same goes for Texas with the new voting rights legislation.” He suggested that Cornyn and Abbott’s actions stem from their ongoing political conflicts.
Governor Abbott has initiated a special session aimed at redistricting in a way that could increase Republican representation before the midterm elections next year. Trump has encouraged Republican-led states to engage in mid-cycle redistricting to better their chances in the upcoming elections. Earlier this month, over 50 Texas Democrats left the state, knowing that a minimum of 100 out of 150 members must be present to meet quorum requirements.
Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom and New York Governor Kathy Hochul showed support for the Texas Democrats, framing it as a vital effort to protect democracy. They pledged to proactively combat the measures imposed by Republicans.
One Texas Republican has even proposed issuing a private arrest warrant, alongside a daily fine, for a Democrat who has not fulfilled their legislative duties. Trump expressed on Tuesday that he believes the FBI should step in.
In a separate interview, Trump claimed that the same tactics used in blue states like Massachusetts, California, and Illinois also apply to the actions taken by Democrats during districting processes. He belittled Pritzker and criticized the business climate in Illinois, suggesting many are fleeing due to poor governance there. He also noted that while he sees opportunities for Republicans to gain seats, he believes certain maps have been manipulated in favor of Democrats.
