Under President Donald Trump’s controversial “zero tolerance” immigration policy, the U.S. is separating children from their parents at the Mexican border. Some governors from across the United States have reacted by pulling, or withholding, their states’ National Guard troops from the southern border.
Illinois doesn’t have troops there, and has not been asked to send them. Gov. Bruce Rauner previously said he would deploy the Illinois National Guard there if asked.
The governor’s opponent in November’s election, Democrat J.B. Pritzker, is calling on Rauner to retract that stance.
“Months ago, this governor offered the Illinois National Guard to this racist, bigoted president and now refuses to call on Trump to end this horrific policy,” Pritzker said in a statement. “By not rescinding his offer, Rauner is helping Trump enforce a policy that goes against the same values our nation was founded on. He’s carrying on in complicit silence while Trump forces families to live in fear.”
When asked about it Tuesday, Rauner had little to say.
“I’m not giving that any thought whatsoever,” Rauner said.
The Republican governor went on, however, to call for an end to dividing families.
“It’s wrong. It’s heartbreaking. It’s not the moral thing to do,” Rauner said.
Follow Amanda Vinicky on Twitter: @AmandaVinicky
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