Illinois Governor JB Pritzker scrambled to distance himself from his own 2017 tweet urging Americans to use opposite-sex bathrooms as a protest against President Trump’s policies, when confronted by a Republican congressman during a heated House Oversight Committee hearing.
Key Takeaways
- Gov. Pritzker was confronted by Rep. Brandon Gill about his 2017 tweet encouraging Americans to “use the other gender’s bathroom” to protest President Trump’s reversal of Obama-era transgender bathroom policies
- When directly questioned if biological men should be allowed in women’s restrooms, Pritzker attempted to deflect rather than disavow his previous position
- The confrontation took place during a House Oversight Committee hearing supposedly focused on “sanctuary state” immigration policies
- Critics argue that allowing biological males in female spaces creates serious safety and privacy concerns for women and girls
- Pritzker has a history of supporting radical LGBT legislation, including decriminalizing HIV spread and mandating LGBT content in school sex education
Pritzker’s Bathroom Protest Suggestion Resurfaces
During a House Oversight Committee hearing ostensibly about immigration policies, Republican Representative Brandon Gill of Texas shifted focus to a controversial 2017 tweet from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. The tweet, which resurfaced during the hearing, revealed Pritzker’s suggestion that Americans should use bathrooms of the opposite sex as a form of protest against President Trump’s policies protecting women’s privacy rights. This confrontation exposed the radical gender ideology that has become increasingly common among Democratic politicians, particularly in states with far-left leadership like Illinois.
The tweet in question was Pritzker’s response to President Trump’s decision to rescind an Obama-era directive that had forced schools to allow students claiming transgender identity to use bathrooms and locker rooms of their chosen gender rather than their biological sex. When confronted with his own words, Pritzker appeared visibly uncomfortable and attempted to pivot away from the questioning rather than directly addressing the concerns about women’s safety that such policies raise.
Safety Concerns vs. Gender Ideology
Rep. Gill pressed Pritzker on whether he believes biological men should be permitted to use women’s restrooms, highlighting legitimate concerns about privacy and safety. This line of questioning touches on incidents where predatory males have exploited transgender bathroom policies, including a notable case in Virginia where a school superintendent allegedly covered up a sexual assault that occurred in a girls’ bathroom by a male student claiming transgender identity. Despite these documented risks, Pritzker refused to clearly state whether he regretted his call for bathroom-based protests.
“As a protest against Trump’s rescinding protections for trans kids, everyone should use the other gender’s bathroom today!,” said JB Pritzker, Governor of Illinois
When directly questioned by Rep. Gill, “Do you think biological men should be able to use women’s restrooms?” Pritzker notably avoided giving a straightforward answer. Instead of acknowledging the legitimate concerns many Americans have about the safety implications of such policies, Pritzker responded with apparent confusion about why the topic was being raised, saying “I’m not sure why this has come to this issue.” This evasive response suggests an unwillingness to confront the real-world consequences of progressive gender policies.
Pritzker’s Record on LGBT Issues
The confrontation over bathroom policies is just one element of Pritzker’s broader record of supporting radical LGBT legislation in Illinois. Under his leadership, the state has passed laws decriminalizing the knowing spread of HIV, mandating IVF insurance coverage for same-sex couples, and requiring LGBT content in school sex education programs. These policies reflect a consistent pattern of prioritizing progressive gender ideology over traditional values and common-sense protections for women and children.
The hearing eventually devolved into accusations of political grandstanding, with Pritzker attempting to redirect attention to unrelated issues rather than addressing his previous statements about bathroom usage. When pressed on whether he remembered making the controversial tweet, Pritzker responded with “Not that I can recall,” despite clear evidence of his statements. This pattern of deflection highlights the difficulty many progressive politicians face when their extreme positions on gender issues are exposed to public scrutiny.
The Broader Context of Transgender Policies
This exchange between Rep. Gill and Gov. Pritzker underscores the ongoing national debate over transgender policies and their implications for privacy, safety, and traditional values. While President Trump has consistently supported policies that protect women’s spaces and parental rights, many Democrat-controlled states continue to advance legislation that subordinates these concerns to progressive gender ideology. The hearing, originally intended to address immigration policies, instead revealed the radical positions that many left-wing politicians have taken on gender issues when they believe voters aren’t paying attention.
