Illinois Governor JB Pritzker claimed during an interview with MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow on Monday that President Donald Trump plans to use the U.S. military to confiscate ballot boxes during the 2026 midterm elections, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

Pritzker’s comments came during a segment on The Rachel Maddow Show, where the Democratic governor alleged that Trump intends to “militarize” American cities and deploy federal forces near polling places.

The remarks drew immediate attention and criticism across social media and political circles.

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“The broader goal, I believe, is the militarization of major American cities before the 2026 elections,” Pritzker told Maddow.

“Let me be clear about what’s going on on the streets of Chicago. They have dressed ICE and CBP in fatigues, put them in military gear, including with automatic weapons, and had them marching up and down major streets in downtown Chicago.”

Pritzker described these actions as a “signal” meant to normalize the presence of troops in civilian areas. “It’s a signal that they’re trying to send that it’s okay to have troops on your street, that this would be a welcome thing for people who live in Chicago,” he said.

“Nobody here welcomes it, by the way. I mean, literally as they’re walking down the street, people are yelling at them, but they think they can get people used to the idea.”

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The Illinois governor went on to suggest that the administration’s intent is to position law enforcement and military personnel at polling places during the midterms.

“Next year, I fear that what they’re going to do is deploy these folks eventually to polling places and say they’re protecting the vote,” Pritzker said. “Donald Trump knows that without shenanigans and without this, these breaches of the Constitution, that he’s going to lose the Congress.”

Pritzker continued, “And if he loses, he’s going to immediately in the aftermath of the election, do what he said he might do in 2020, which is use the military to confiscate the ballot boxes and count the votes, claiming that there’s fraud.”

JB Pritzker goes full election denier, says Trump will “use the military to confiscate ballot boxes” and steal the midterms pic.twitter.com/qza9dT1RNu

— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) October 7, 2025

The comments echo earlier claims Pritzker made in September in which he warned that Trump would “weaponize” the military for political purposes. There has been no indication from federal or state agencies that any such plans exist.

The governor’s remarks are part of a growing pattern of Democratic officials and public figures alleging that the administration may use the military or law enforcement in election-related operations. Similar claims have been made in recent months by filmmaker Rob Reiner and television host Joy Behar.

Pritzker’s office did not respond to requests for clarification following the MSNBC appearance.