Pritzker on GOP's FBI arrest threats: 'Texas law does not apply' in Illinois

Source: The Hill

08/10/25 4:19 PM ET


Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) said Sunday it would be illegal for President Trump to order the FBI to arrest Texas state Democratic officials for fleeing their state to halt Republican redistricting efforts. “Well, first of all, Texas law does not apply in the state of Illinois, and there’s no federal law that would allow the FBI to arrest anybody that’s here visiting our state. So, it’s a lot of grandstanding,” Pritzker said to host Kristen Welker on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

Pritzker vowed to protect Texas Democrats who fled their state to Illinois to prevent a quorum in the Texas Legislature necessary to vote on the new gerrymandered voting map. After the legislators fled, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) ordered their arrest because they “abandoned their duty to Texans.” Since the lawmakers are out of state, Texas law enforcement cannot arrest them.

Texas Sen. John Cornyn (R) sent a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel asking for the FBI’s assistance. When asked whether the FBI should get involved, President Trump answered, “Well, they may have to.”

The Illinois governor has been highly critical of the Trump administration, saying that the president is trying to “steal five seats from the people.” On NBC, he reiterated that he will protect the fleeing lawmakers and ranted against Abbott over these mid-decade redistricting efforts.

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/5445467-pritzker-criticizes-trump-redistricting/