If JB Pritzker is trying to build his résumé for a 2028 presidential run, it’s not going well. In fact, it’s going about as well as Chicago’s crime stats—which is to say, it’s a disaster.
The Illinois governor just picked a fight with someone you really don’t want to mess with: Trump’s Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth. Why? Because Hegseth does pushups. No, seriously. That’s what triggered Pritzker.
On Wednesday, Pritzker took to X to whine about the National Guard being deployed to Chicago to help with the out-of-control crime and border crisis. Instead of thanking the troops for doing the job he won’t do, Pritzker mocked Hegseth for doing pushups:
“He’s trying to set a world record for pushups while ignoring his job,” Pritzker posted. “Meanwhile, my state is being invaded by Trump’s military troops.”
Oh, the horror! Troops trying to protect citizens from violent illegal aliens? Send in the therapy dogs!
Pete Hegseth was busy ignoring his job and doing pushups as part of a show for the Guinness Book of World Records while Illinoisans are being invaded by Trump’s military troops. https://t.co/4OpZHrmj8I
— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) October 8, 2025
Hegseth—never one to back down—fired back with a brutal takedown:
“Governor, you might try a pushup or two…,” he posted. “In the meantime, our troops will do the job you refuse to do.”
Boom. That’s how you handle a soft-handed politician who thinks yelling at the military is a leadership trait.
Governor, you might try a pushup or two…
(In the meantime, our troops will do the job you refuse to do.) https://t.co/cRfftXbwd8
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) October 8, 2025
Let’s be honest: Pritzker’s been on a losing streak since Trump returned to the White House. He’s been ranting about “democracy” and “authoritarianism” while his own state is one of the most gerrymandered in the nation. Illinois has been under Democrat rule for decades and somehow always ends up redrawing maps in their favor. But sure, tell us more about “protecting democracy,” JB.
And don’t even get us started on crime. Just this Labor Day weekend, Chicago saw 58 people shot, eight of them fatally. But Pritzker still had the nerve to say the city is “safe.” Maybe he was referring to a different Chicago?
As for illegal immigration? He’s been defending sanctuary policies while ICE has been forced to clean up his mess. Operation Midway Blitz exposed just how bad it’s gotten, with multiple criminal illegals arrested for rape, child molestation, armed robbery, and more. The operation was named in honor of Katie Abraham, a young woman killed in a hit-and-run by a drunk-driving illegal alien. But Pritzker’s mad at Trump. Let that sink in.
When asked about Trump’s plan to deport criminal illegals and restore order, Pritzker snapped, saying:
“This is a convicted felon who is threatening to jail me. This guy is unhinged. He’s insecure. He’s a wannabe dictator.”
Then, in the most dramatic line since a bad action movie, he added: “There’s one thing I really want to say to Donald Trump: if you come for my people, you come through me. So come and get me.”
Buddy, Trump’s not coming for you because you’re some bold revolutionary. He’s coming for you because you’re failing at your job and standing in the way of federal law enforcement doing theirs.
And now, by mocking Pete Hegseth for doing pushups—while you struggle to walk up a flight of stairs—you’ve only made yourself look even weaker.
This isn’t about pushups. It’s about priorities. One man is focusing on protecting the country. The other is focused on his ego.
So keep talking, JB. Every time you open your mouth, more Americans realize just how deep the rot goes in Democrat-run cities.
And as for Hegseth? Let the man do his pushups. At least someone’s got strength in this administration.