Illinois Governor JB Pritzker delivered a fiery and impassioned speech in New Hampshire on Sunday night, warning his fellow Democrats that the time for half-measures and political caution has long since passed.
Speaking to an energized crowd at a key gathering ahead of the anticipated 2028 presidential nomination cycle, Pritzker made a forceful call to arms, urging Democrats to stop surrendering when they should be fighting.
"The reckoning is here," Pritzker declared, drawing immediate cheers from the audience. His speech, punctuated by sharp critiques of the "Looney Toon Republican Congress," President Donald Trump’s administration, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, was directed less at political opponents and more at his own party’s leadership.
Pritzker argued that Democratic leaders had for too long been paralyzed by fear, misled by political consultants and insiders who underestimated the threat Trump poses to American democracy.
"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," he said.
"Today, as the blaze reaches the rafters, the pundits and politicians – whose simpering timidity served as kindle for the arsonists – urge us now not to reach for a hose."
Pritzker’s vivid imagery captured the mood of many Democrats who have grown increasingly frustrated with what they see as their party’s slow and timid response to Trump’s actions.
While Democratic leaders have been bogged down by internal divisions and endless procedural debates, Pritzker suggested that ordinary Americans—those most affected by the administration’s policies—have been crying out for urgent and forceful action.
"Meanwhile, if we took care to listen to the voices of real people, we would hear our neighbors and friends standing on the street outside screaming for a response, one big enough for a five-alarmer," he said.
The governor’s remarks went beyond traditional calls for political engagement. He advocated for a broad campaign of protests, mobilization, and disruption to combat what he described as the cruelty and callousness of the Republican agenda.
"Never before in my life have I called for mass protests, for mobilization, for disruption. But I am now," Pritzker said.
"These Republicans cannot know a moment of peace. They must understand that we will fight their cruelty with every megaphone and microphone that we have. We must castigate them on the soap box and then punish them at the ballot box."
Pritzker cited the recent deportations of individuals to El Salvador as a harrowing example of what happens when constitutional protections are ignored in favor of political expediency. He warned that such abuses of power would not stop with immigrants.
"Today, it’s an immigrant with a tattoo," he said. "Tomorrow, it’s a citizen with a Facebook post that annoys Trump."
Throughout his address, Pritzker hammered home the need for Democrats to reframe the political conversation, to move away from technocratic discussions and incremental changes, and instead focus on the moral urgency of the moment.
"Time to stop apologizing when we were not wrong," he said. "Time to stop surrendering, when we need to fight."
The governor’s powerful message resonated with many of the New Hampshire Democrats in attendance, a group keenly aware of their state's traditional role in shaping presidential contests.
Before Pritzker even reached the microphone, other speakers at the event were already praising him for showing Democrats how to resist Trump’s influence more forcefully.
"You are standing up for all the people Trump has attacked," former New Hampshire Governor John Lynch said as he introduced Pritzker.
"You’re showing Democrats how to stand up and how to fight," added Representative Chris Pappas, who is running for the seat of retiring Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen. Pappas praised Pritzker for "cutting through the clutter" and providing a clear vision of Democratic values in an era of confusion and fear.
Although Pritzker stopped short of making a presidential announcement—he is still considering whether to run for a third term in Illinois next year—his speech was widely seen as a major step toward raising his national profile. His focus, however, remained firmly on the more immediate battles ahead.
"We must abandon the culture of incrementalism that has led us to swallow their cruelty and their callousness," Pritzker said, "with barely a cowardly croak."
Pritzker’s call to action reflects broader frustrations within the Democratic Party. Since Trump's return to the White House, Democrats have struggled with internal debates over strategy, ideology, and leadership.
Some leaders have advocated for cautious negotiation, while others argue for bold resistance. Pritzker’s speech clearly aligned him with the latter camp, positioning himself as someone unwilling to accept slow erosion of democratic norms and civil liberties.
By encouraging mass protests and aggressive political engagement, Pritzker invoked the spirit of past social movements that reshaped American society. His words suggested that defending democracy requires more than just winning elections; it demands sustained and visible public action.
Many of the Democrats in the room welcomed the message. For grassroots activists and local leaders alike, Pritzker’s blunt talk offered a refreshing departure from what they see as overly careful and uninspiring national leadership.
Pritzker’s willingness to name names, criticize his own party, and call for direct action distinguishes him from many potential 2028 contenders, who so far have remained relatively cautious in their public comments.
His emphasis on fighting for real people—those who feel the direct impact of government policies on issues like immigration, healthcare, and economic justice—suggests a campaign style that would center human stories rather than abstract policy debates.
The Illinois governor’s speech also touched on the dangers of normalizing Trump’s actions. By reminding Democrats that today’s injustices could become tomorrow’s accepted norms if left unchallenged, he underlined the stakes of the political moment.
At a time when many Americans are growing weary of constant political turmoil, Pritzker’s call for renewed energy and engagement stands out. He framed the task ahead not as a burden but as a moral obligation.
While Pritzker’s future political plans remain undecided, one thing is clear: his message of fighting back, refusing to accept cruelty, and putting ordinary people’s voices at the center of political action has struck a chord among many Democrats hungry for leadership.
As the political season continues to unfold, and as Trump’s second term policies grow increasingly controversial, leaders like Pritzker may find that there is a growing appetite for the kind of bold, unapologetic opposition he is advocating.
For now, the fight Pritzker called for is not about individual ambition but about something larger: defending the ideals of democracy, justice, and human dignity from forces that seek to undermine them.
And if the reaction from New Hampshire Democrats is any indication, many in the party are ready to answer that call.
