Ron DeSantis goes after JB Pritzker, says he drove people to flee Illinois and Chicago

Ron DeSantis said that while people might disagree on issues like taxes or education, concerns over family safety drove their decisions to relocate
PUBLISHED OCT 10, 2025
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis took aim at Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (Getty Images, Screengrab/Fox News)
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis took aim at Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (Getty Images, Screengrab/Fox News)


 

WASHINGTON, DC: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis took a jab at Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, saying that he and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson have caused many people to flee from Illinois and Chicago, moving to Florida.

DeSantis made this statement on Thursday, October 9, during a conversation with Fox News' Jesse Watters, in which the two discussed the current conditions in Chicago and Illinois.

Ron DeSantis says 'we can see an even bigger exodus'

During the Segment, Ron DeSantis said, "When Joe Biden was president, governors like me stepped up and said, wait a minute, they are not enforcing immigration laws. We are gonna step up and fill the void. We are gonna be faithful to the laws that are on the books.'"

"We were told it's a federal function. The federal government can decide one way or another," he added.

The Florida Governor then said, "Now, on the flipside, you have Donald Trump enforcing federal law, and you have the left in Portland and Chicago, they are not saying it's federal, they are actively stymying the enforcement of federal immigration laws."

MIRAMAR, FLORIDA - MAY 01: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a press conference held at the ICE-Enforcement and Removal Operation office on May 01, 2025 in Miramar, Florida. DeSantis talked about a multi-agency immigration enforcement effort named Operation Tidal Wave that they say resulted in more than 1,100 arrests in a single week in Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks during a press conference held at the ICE-Enforcement and Removal Operation office on May 1, 2025, in Miramar, Florida (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

"I can tell you their governor and mayor of Chicago have caused a lot of people to flee both in Illinois and Chicago and move to my state over the years. If that Lieutenant Governor gets unleashed, I think we will see an even bigger exodus," DeSantis then mentioned.

Jesse Watters then added that whenever he is in Naples, Florida, he sees a lot of people from the Chicago area and has been seeing more over the years.

Ron DeSantis then said that the public is on the side of President Trump.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 25: Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker holds a news conference with other Illinois politicians and community leaders to address President Donald Trump's plan to send National Guard troops into Chicago on August 25, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. Besides Chicago, the president on Friday said he planned to target Baltimore and New York as well for his next federal crackdown on crime following days of federal agents working the streets of Washington with DC Metro Police. Trump today appeared to back off from those threats in remarks to reporters. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker holds a news conference with other Illinois politicians and community leaders to address President Donald Trump's plan to send National Guard troops into Chicago on August 25, 2025, in Chicago, Illinois (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

"What I found is public safety is the primal for people," DeSantis said.

He added, "You can disagree with someone on taxes, on education, but when your family's safety is at risk, you want to see that remedy and a lot of people have moved to Florida because of public safety."

Border Patrol chief says JB Pritzker, Brandon Johnson are fueling violence

Gregory Bovino, an important figure in President Trump’s border crackdown, lashed out at Illinois Democrats last week as he targeted JB Pritzker and Brandon Johnson.

He accused the two Democrats of "feeding" violence against federal agents.

During an appearance on Fox News' 'The Big Weekend Show' on October 4, Bovino suggested their anti-enforcement rhetoric could be putting agents’ lives in danger.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 25: Flanked by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (L) and other Illinois politicians and community leaders, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks at a news conference to address President Donald Trump's plan to send National Guard troops into the city on August 25, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. Besides Chicago, the president on Friday said he planned to target Baltimore and New York as well for his next federal crackdown on crime following days of federal agents working the streets of Washington with DC Metro Police. Trump today appeared to back off from those threats in remarks to reporters. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Flanked by Illinois Gov JB Pritzker (Left) and other Illinois politicians and community leaders, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks at a news conference to address President Donald Trump's plan to send National Guard troops into the city on August 25, 2025, in Chicago, Illinois (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

He said, "Those individuals, like the governor or mayor, they feed violence. They foment this violence — and I kind of scratch my head as to why they would do that — but they are actually feeding this violence and trying to get people hurt."

"I wonder if they actually want Border Patrol agents and ICE officers hurt. At this point, I’ve almost come to that conclusion", he mentioned.

Bovino further added, "It’s a sad fact, but they continually banter that rhetoric around, and I’ve not heard anything on the suspects we’ve arrested, the bad people and bad things we’ve arrested by the thousands."

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