Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) issued an impassioned plea to the Trump administration Thursday to pause its immigration raids in Chicago, at least for Halloween, though one journalist and political analyst suspects the plea may also be a trap that could see the administration stumble into a self-inflicted political blunder.
In a letter addressed to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Pritzker pleaded with the agency to halt its immigration raids in Chicago through the Halloween weekend, which kicks off Friday. His request comes just days after U.S. Border Patrol agents deployed tear gas at a children’s Halloween parade, and weeks after children were dragged from beds to U-Hauls by immigration officers during a raid.
“Illinois families deserve to spend Halloween weekend without fear. No child should be forced to inhale tear gas or other chemical agents while trick or treating in their own neighborhood,” Pritzker wrote. “...Illinois children should not be robbed of their innocence. Let them enjoy a time-honored American tradition safely and peacefully. Please let children be children for one holiday, free from intimidation and fear.”
Jason Easley, a journalist and political analyst who runs PoliticusUSA, a liberal news website, argued that while Pritzker’s plea was likely genuine, it also set the stage for the Trump administration to commit another self-inflicting blow to its already crumbling support among Americans.
“With extra eyes on the administration’s actions, they may be more reluctant to do anything that would jeopardize or terrify children,” Easley wrote in an analysis published Thursday on PoliticusUSA.
“Given that the Trump administration has already shown us who they are, the administration is more likely to terrorize kids than show restraint over Halloween. The video and images of kids being confronted by armed ICE agents or tear gassed while they trick or treat would outrage the nation.”
The Trump administration has increased federal presence in Chicago in recent weeks, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers conducting several targeted raids throughout the city, sparking fear and chaos among its citizens. President Donald Trump’s personal animosity toward Pritzker, however, whom he’s called for to be jailed, may lead him to taking Pritzker’s bait, Easley argued, and thus expose his administration “in front of the world.”
“JB Pritzker is doing everything he can to protect kids in his state, and he is also setting up the Trump administration to be exposed in front of the world,” Easley wrote.