Illinois Governor Blocks Jan. 6 Rioters from State Jobs Following Trump's Pardons

Governor JB Pritzker declares that individuals who sought to overthrow the government should not hold state positions, despite President Trump’s pardons.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has moved to prevent those involved in the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol from securing state jobs, a direct rebuke to former President Donald Trump’s recent wave of pardons. In a written directive issued Thursday, the Democratic governor instructed the state’s Department of Central Management Services to exclude rioters from state employment, calling their actions “infamous and disgraceful conduct” that runs counter to the state’s core values.

Pritzker’s directive stated that the rioters “attacked law enforcement officers protecting people in the Capitol, disrupted the peaceful transfer of power, and undermined bedrock principles of American democracy.” He emphasized that Illinois' state workforce must reflect the values of honesty, integrity, and a commitment to serving the public, saying, “No one who attempts to overthrow a government should serve in government.”

This move represents the most significant challenge to Trump’s series of pardons and commutations, which notably included over 1,500 individuals, some linked to the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, who were convicted of seditious conspiracy for their involvement in the Capitol riot. Trump’s pardon spree, issued on his first day in office last week, also dismissed charges against individuals who had assaulted law enforcement officers during the attack.

Pritzker’s decision is a clear statement of opposition to Trump’s actions, especially given the fact that the pardons could affect more than 50 individuals from Illinois, including some still facing prosecution. The move also aligns with Pritzker's ongoing confrontations with the former president on various issues.

While Pritzker’s directive could face legal challenges, sources suggest that basing it on the state’s personnel code provides a strong legal foundation in the event of court challenges.

Additionally, Pritzker has voiced opposition to other Trump-era actions, such as a controversial memo calling for a freeze in federal aid, which was temporarily blocked by a judge and later rescinded by the White House.

In a statement on social media, Pritzker expressed, “The US Constitution does not grant the President this unilateral authority. In Illinois, we will stand against unlawful actions that would harm millions of working families, children, and seniors.”