(The Center Square) – While some applaud Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker’s threat to punish El Salvador for cooperating with the Trump administration, others say the governor is just looking for national attention.
The governor said that his administration would evaluate Illinois pension funds to see if they benefit El Salvador, launch a procurement review of contracts with businesses in El Salvador, and analyze trade with the Central American nation.
Pritzker announced the moves against El Salvador “in response to its role in aiding the Trump Administration’s defiance of court orders and violations of due process.” The governor specifically called out the deportation of alleged gang member Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who is now being held in El Salvador.
Abrego Garcia legally resided in the U.S. as a noncitizen before being deported. El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele said he would not return Abrego Garcia to the United States.
Martin Danenberg formerly taught at the El Salvadoran consulate in New York.
“You have to applaud the governor for bringing this up and putting it in the face of President Bukele,” Danenberg told The Center Square.
Danenberg said he has followed Bukele over the years.
“He cleaned up the gangs, Calle or what they call Barrio 18, MS-13 for the most part, but he also locked up innocent people, which is what Stalin did throughout his career in the Soviet Union. Hitler did it. Trump is on that path right now,” Danenberg said.
Pritzker faced criticism for referencing Nazis six times while attacking Trump during his state of the state address at the Illinois Capitol in February.
Cook County Republican chairman Aaron Del Mar said Pritzker’s moves would affect the people of El Salvador in a big way.
“Any sanctions, any issues, any disinvestment that takes place through our pension system or any of our policies that affect their country is going to have a ripple effect across their country and eventually to each El Salvadoran,” Del Mar told The Center Square.
Del Mar said Pritzker is failing to deal with issues at home while he plays games with El Salvador and tries to get more headlines.
“He’s trying to play national politics and start talking about issues versus Trump and in El Salvador that really have nothing to do with Illinois,” Del Mar told The Center Square.
Del Mar added that Pritzker is seeking to boost his profile ahead of a potential campaign for president in 2028.
Del Mar was elected Cook County Republican Party chairman earlier this week. He previously served as co-chairman of the Illinois Republican Party.
Illinois state Rep. Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, responded on Facebook to the governor’s measures against El Salvador.
“Wait… What!!! This is horrendous!” McCombie posted.
