Pritzker said political violence has increased substantially against Republicans and Democrats, including threats against him and his family.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Gov. JB Pritzker began the week by condemning the assassination of Charlie Kirk and other recent political violence. Pritzker doubled down on his previous statement that President Donald Trump advocates for political violence.

Illinois Republicans are still reeling over Pritzker's initial comments following Kirk's death. Pritzker told reporters in Chicago Monday that political violence has increased substantially against Republicans and Democrats, including threats against him and his family. 

The Democrat argued all leaders should work together to stop it, and the president should take responsibility.

"Instead, he actively fans the flames of division on Friday, regularly advocates violence for political retribution, and in more than one case declares we are at war, not with a foreign adversary, but with each other," Pritzker said.

This comes just after the Illinois Freedom Caucus filed articles of impeachment against the governor, claiming his rhetoric incites political violence against Republicans. 

Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Niemerg) said Pritzker's remarks are providing legitimacy to radicals who are committing heinous crimes against people like Charlie Kirk.

"He compares Republicans in his State of the State address to Nazi Germany, and that Republicans, like myself, are Nazis," Niemerg said. "You have to fight me in the streets, and I shall know no peace. You put all of those together, and that's terrible political rhetoric."

Pritzker stressed that he has not called Republicans Nazis, but rather that he referenced how Nazis were able to destroy democracy in a very short period of time. The Democrat said previous Republican presidents would try to create more unity after domestic political violence.

"I think it's incumbent upon me as the leader of this state to tell people that we need to act with calm in this moment," Pritzker said. "People need to act peacefully in this moment." 

The Illinois Freedom Caucus said free speech and political debate are cornerstones of our republic, but inciting violence and reckless rhetoric that endangers people cannot be ignored. They hope to see the impeachment resolutions discussed when lawmakers return to Springfield next month, but the Democratic supermajority will block their effort. 

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