A right-wing extremist who had previously been embedded in Chicago ICE operations harassed Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker at his home this week. Amb. Norm Eisen (ret.), founder and executive chair of Democracy Defenders Action, issued the following statement:

“What happened at Governor Pritzker’s home is unacceptable. A right-wing agitator who was embedded in federal law enforcement used his platform to show up outside a governor’s house, call him a ‘scumbag,’ apparently attack him for his Jewish faith, and urge supporters to ‘get active’ in a way that drips with menace and antisemitism. The consequences could be devastating.

“All leaders in Illinois and across the country, including Republicans, should be condemning this loudly and clearly. Their silence is a choice to tolerate antisemitism, harassment of public officials, and — frankly — the political violence that is too prevalent in this nation.”

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Democracy Defenders Action brings together a nonpartisan team to work with national, state and local allies across the country committed to upholding the rule of law, fighting against autocracy and defending the Constitution.