(NewsNation) — Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker called out President Donald Trump on Monday for his response to the fatal shooting of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk.
“This is a moment when America must come together and say clearly that threats and political violence are not the answer,” Pritzker said.
The news conference began with an update on how immigration actions targeting the Chicago area have impacted residents.
Pritzker, a Democrat, and Trump have been at odds over the surge of federal officers to the region as part of Trump’s mass deportation effort.
Pritzker then pivoted to the issue of political violence, noting there has been a trend of political violence in recent years.
The governor detailed a number of violent attacks perpetrated against individuals on both sides of the aisle.
He noted that every president in his lifetime but one has called on the country to come together in the wake of such violence, calling out Trump for failing to bring a message of togetherness regardless of party.
When asked, Pritzker denied reports he referred to Republicans as Nazis and told the reporter that anyone who said he did was lying.
As for his decision to specifically mention Trump, Pritzker said anyone who was “fomenting anger” in the wake of political violence is deserving of criticism.