This Leftist has done it now. He’s never going to squirm his way out of this.
And a Democrat Governor has egg on his face after an embarrassing social media post resurfaces.
Illinois Governor Faces Backlash Over Resurfaced Tweet
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker found himself in the hot seat during a recent House Oversight Committee hearing, where a long-forgotten tweet from 2017 sparked a fiery exchange. The Democrat’s past call for people to “use the other gender’s bathroom” as a form of protest has reignited debate, drawing sharp criticism from Republican Representative Brandon Gill of Texas. The confrontation, which veered far from the hearing’s intended focus on immigration, highlighted the ongoing tension surrounding transgender rights and public policy.
A Tweet That Stirred Controversy
The controversy stems from a tweet Pritzker posted in February 2017, shortly after President Donald Trump reversed an Obama-era policy that allowed transgender students to use bathrooms aligned with their gender identity.
In response, Pritzker wrote, “As a protest against Trump’s rescinding protections for trans kids, everyone should use the other gender’s bathroom today! #protecttranskids.” The tweet, now eight years old, was brought back into the spotlight by Gill during the heated hearing, where he used it to challenge Pritzker’s stance on transgender bathroom policies.
As a protest against Trump's rescinding protections for trans kids, everyone should use the other gender's bathroom today! #protecttranskids
— JB Pritzker (@JBPritzker) February 23, 2017
A Heated Exchange in Congress
The clash between Pritzker and Gill quickly escalated as the Texas representative pressed the governor on his views. “Do you think that biological men should be able to use women’s restrooms?” Gill asked pointedly, displaying a screenshot of the 2017 tweet for emphasis. Pritzker, caught off guard, questioned the relevance of the topic to the hearing’s focus on sanctuary state policies.
When asked if he had ever used a women’s restroom himself, Pritzker replied, “Not that I can recall.” Gill seized the moment, retorting, “So you wanted everybody else to do it, but you didn’t.” The exchange grew increasingly contentious, with Gill accusing Pritzker of encouraging men to enter women’s restrooms, potentially endangering “underage girls.” Pritzker dismissed the line of questioning as a “political circus,” accusing Gill of grandstanding.
Attempting to Defending His Stance
Pritzker firmly denied advocating for men to use women’s bathrooms, sidestepping questions about whether he regretted the tweet. Instead, he emphasized that the issue was irrelevant to the hearing’s focus on immigration. When Gill pressed further, asking, “Did you ever consider that women don’t want you in their bathrooms?” Pritzker dodged the question, framing the confrontation as a distraction from more pressing matters.
The exchange took another sharp turn when Gill asked, “Do you support Hamas’ agenda?” Pritzker swiftly rejected the accusation, highlighting his alleged work to combat antisemitism in Illinois.
A Polarizing Moment
The resurfaced tweet and the ensuing debate reflect the deep divisions over transgenderism and public safety. Pritzker’s 2017 post was intended as a bold statement of solidarity with transgender students, but instead came off as a violation of privacy for those who want to use the bathroom that aligns with their biological gender.
Critics argue that the governor’s call to action was reckless, while supporters view it as a defense of marginalized communities.
As the hearing demonstrated, old social media posts can resurface to fuel new controversies, especially in the charged atmosphere of congressional oversight.
For Pritzker, the episode serves as a reminder that past words can carry lasting consequences in the ever-evolving landscape of American politics.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
