Illinois Governor JB Pritzker (D) took aim at the White House on Monday, posting a video on X that didn't mince words. In the clip, he urged political leaders to show more empathy and compassion, especially toward vulnerable communities, and called out what he sees as a pattern of cruelty and racially motivated rhetoric from the administration.

"A message to the White House: Racism doesn't make you tough. It just makes you a racist," Pritzker said in the video.

He went on to say that leaders should be judged by how they treat people who are struggling. "It's time to demand from our leaders that they show empathy to the struggling, compassion to the destitute," he said. Pritzker also pushed back on the idea that being aggressive or punitive is a sign of strength. "I don't think cruelty is some virtue that shows us how much of a man you are," he added.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

This isn't the first time Pritzker has gone after the administration. Earlier, he criticized President Donald Trump's spending priorities, tariffs, and Republican-backed policies, arguing they hurt working families while funneling money toward projects tied to the White House. Pritzker specifically called out Trump for opposing funding for programs like Medicaid and SNAP while supporting spending on a proposed White House ballroom, an "Arc de Trump," and a helipad. "Federal spending seems unlimited when it benefits the president," Pritzker said.

The governor also blamed Trump's tariffs and policies for driving up the cost of groceries, gas, health care, and other essentials. In contrast, he highlighted Illinois' efforts to reduce expenses, including fee cuts, a pause on a planned gas tax increase, tax exemptions on school supplies, and regulations on insurance costs.

Pritzker also accused Trump of abusing presidential power and targeting political opponents after facing legal and electoral setbacks.