Illinois Democratic Governor JB Pritzker has proposed that, should Democrats gain control of the White House in 2028, they should seek criminal prosecution against Trump administration officials and law enforcement agents who have “broken the law.”
In a recent interview with The New York Times, Pritzker outlined his vision for a Democratic counter to the Heritage Foundation’s conservative policy blueprint, calling it “Project 2029”.
Pritzker’s Vision: Restoring the Rule of Law
Pritzker emphasized the need to “restore the rule of law” in the U.S., which he believes requires holding accountable those who have violated it, particularly those in the Trump administration and federal law enforcement.
The Governor highlighted that any violations of the law should not go unpunished, whether through criminal or civil prosecution.
“We’ve got to restore the rule of law, and that means holding people accountable who’ve broken the law,” Pritzker stated. “I’m talking about the people in this administration who’ve broken the law and federal agents who’ve broken the law.”
When asked by New York Times reporter Lulu Garcia-Navarro whether this meant criminal prosecution for Trump officials and law enforcement agents, Pritzker affirmed, saying, “Criminally prosecuted, civilly prosecuted, whatever it is that we can do.”
Project 2029: A Democratic Counter to Project 2025
Pritzker referred to his proposal as “Project 2029”, calling for a comprehensive set of policies aimed at addressing the actions of the previous administration. His idea follows the conservative “Project 2025,” created by the Heritage Foundation, which provides policy frameworks for Republican presidential administrations.
Pritzker’s vision for Project 2029, however, would be a counter aimed at enforcing accountability and restoring constitutional integrity after what he perceives as violations by the Trump administration.
Clarification and the Illinois Accountability Commission
Fox News Digital reached out to Pritzker’s office for further clarification on who specifically he believes should face criminal prosecution.
In response, his office pointed to a January press release that urged the Illinois Accountability Commission to review the actions and decisions made by key officials involved in Operation Midway Blitz—a controversial immigration enforcement initiative. The press release named several individuals, including:
- White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller
- “Border Czar” Tom Homan
- Former Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem
- Former Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin
- Acting ICE Director Tom Lyons
- CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott
- Corey Lewandowski, a former special government employee for DHS
Pritzker’s office pointed to these individuals for their roles in escalating aggressive enforcement tactics during the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
Clashes Between Pritzker and Trump Over Immigration
The Governor and President Trump have frequently clashed over immigration enforcement, particularly in Illinois. In October 2025, Pritzker filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago, arguing that it was “unconstitutional and/or unlawful.”
A U.S. District Judge, April Perry, issued a temporary restraining order blocking the National Guard deployment, a decision later upheld by the Supreme Court. The federal government ultimately withdrew the troops in January 2026.
Pritzker has also been critical of federal immigration enforcement tactics in Illinois, accusing agents of “waging war on our people” and “acting like jackbooted thugs.”
His criticisms stem from reports of aggressive actions taken by federal agents during operations such as Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago, where protesters alleged constitutional rights violations through the use of tear gas and force.
Lawsuits and Legal Battles
Pritzker’s administration is currently involved in another lawsuit against the Trump administration over alleged misconduct by immigration enforcement agents during Operation Midway Blitz.
Plaintiffs in the lawsuit have accused federal agents of violating the constitutional rights of protesters through excessive force and the use of tear gas.
District Judge Sara Ellis initially issued a preliminary injunction barring federal agents from using force or tear gas on protesters, but an appeals court overturned this decision earlier this month.
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