Gov. JB Pritzker (D-Ill) blamed President Donald Trump's tariffs and policies backed by congressional Republicans for rising inflation, arguing Illinois is moving to ease costs for working families through state-level relief measures.

Federal Policy Sparks Inflation Debate

On Monday, in a post on X alongside a video message, Pritzker said, "Americans are feeling the pain from Donald Trump's tariffs to the Republicans in Congress taking away help."

In the clip, Pritzker said, "Donald Trump's tariffs and his war of choice in Iran have Illinoisans paying higher prices at the grocery store, at the gas pump, at the pharmacy, frankly everywhere."

He also said inflation is "worse than when he took office," while criticizing Republican lawmakers for cutting health care and food assistance programs.

Pritzker contrasted federal policy with Illinois' actions, saying the state legislature worked with him to pass relief measures, including efforts to curb hidden fees, pause a planned gas tax increase, eliminate sales tax on back-to-school items and regulate insurance pricing.

He added that the state passed a "balanced budget" aimed at lowering costs in housing, health care and education.

Schiff, Zandi Warn Inflation Risks

Economist Peter Schiff said President Trump could not afford for the Iran war to end. At the same time, inflation remained high, calling the conflict a "perfect scapegoat" for rising prices and suggesting it could be used to explain continued inflation ahead of elections.

The Iran-Israel conflict escalated with missile strikes and retaliatory attacks, raising concerns about higher oil prices and broader economic fallout.

Separately, Moody's economist Mark Zandi said the U.S. economy was growing below its potential, warning of risks from rising unemployment, persistent inflation, and slowing growth. He said weaker expansion, despite ongoing stimulus, was being worsened by geopolitical tensions and higher energy costs linked to the conflict.