Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) mocked Kristi Noem ahead of her Wednesday visit to his state, telling “all pet owners” to watch out for the Homeland Security secretary, who famously detailed shooting a hunting dog and a goat in a memoir.
“Despite the Trump Administration being in office for more than 100 days and falsely accusing Illinois of not following federal and state law, Secretary Noem and her team does not communicate with the State of Illinois and has not asked for support or coordination to enforce immigration laws,” Pritzker’s office said in a statement provided to multiple media outlets.
“We would urge all pet owners in the region to make sure all of your beloved animals are under watchful protection while the Secretary is in the region,” it added, according to media reports.
The Hill has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for a response.
Noem raised eyebrows across the nation last year when she admitted to shooting her 14-month-old dog Cricket more than two decades ago in her book “No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong With Politics and How We Move America Forward.”
Noem’s visit on Wednesday was scheduled to address Illinois’s sanctuary status, which prevents local law enforcement from reporting undocumented immigrants to federal authorities.
“Springfield needs attention specifically because of the victims that have been here but also because of the laws that come out of this city that impact the entire state. That is: protecting illegal criminals and not prioritizing the American citizens and the citizens of this great state,” Noem said during the press conference.
Pritzker slammed Noem and the entire Trump administration in a separate statement on her remarks.
“Trump-Noem publicity stunts do not make our communities safer or our immigration system smarter. Illinois doesn’t need to abuse power or ignore the Constitution to keep our people safe. Like the millions of Americans asking for sensible, humane immigration reform, I encourage the Secretary to spend less time performing for Fox News and more time protecting the Homeland,” he said.
“Secretary Noem must have not realized she was visiting during Latino Unity Day where we come together celebrate the vibrancy and diversity of our community. Today, Secretary Noem was met by a force stronger than her: the people of Illinois.”
