In an interview with the New York Times, Pritzker characterized this initiative as a “forward-looking framework” for Democrats seeking to regain national power following the 2028 election. Having served as governor since 2019, he has often clashed with the Trump administration on various issues, including immigration enforcement. Pritzker described Project 2029 as a necessary response to the political lessons learned in recent years.
When asked to outline the agenda for Project 2029, Pritzker stated that he aims to restore the “rule of law” by holding political opponents accountable, though he failed to explain any allegedly illegal behavior on the part of Trump officials.
“I don’t think you can speak of it in shorthand, but we’ve got to restore the rule of law, and that means holding people accountable who’ve broken the law,” he said without further explanation. “I’m talking about the people in this administration who’ve broken the law and federal agents who’ve broken the law need to be held accountable.”
Asked if that included criminal prosecutions, Pritzker responded: “Criminally prosecuted, civilly prosecuted. Whatever it is that we can do.” He went on to say civil prosecutions could replace criminal complaints if no charges are warranted.
Democrats have been gathering ideas for months on how to respond to companies and individuals that have closely aligned themselves with President Donald Trump’s political agenda. They have indicated that breaking up mergers and conducting committee investigations will be key components of their efforts to counter the administration if they regain power.
Recently, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries from New York took to social media to highlight his latest addition to that list.
“Brendan Carr is a corrupt political hack and fake chair of the FCC,” Jeffries said in a post to X. “This guy (and the entities he promotes) will find himself on the wrong side of a congressional investigation in short order.”
Jeffries’ comments were in response to a post from Carr, suggesting that the administration would more closely review license renewals for broadcasters that promote “fake news.” This struggle over political alignment is not unique to Carr.
As the nation approaches the November midterm elections, comments on this issue have increased. This election presents a critical opportunity for Democrats to challenge the Republican governing trifecta and push back more visibly against the Trump administration. Even regaining control of just one chamber of Congress could enable Democrats to pursue their agenda of retaliation, Fox News reported.
Democrats, including Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona, aim to hold companies accountable that received approval for mergers during Trump’s administration.
“Once we take power, whoever the president is, we’re going to break up your companies,” Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., told Semafor.
“So, all the investment you did to create these mergers are going to be for naught. Your investors are going to be pissed at you, and you’re likely going to end up getting fired as the CEO because you wasted so much money and corrupted yourself in the process,” Gallego said.
During Trump’s administration, significant mergers included Paramount’s acquisition of Warner Bros. for $82.7 billion, Capital One’s purchase of Discover for $35 billion, and Nippon Steel’s acquisition of U.S. Steel for $14.9 billion.
Sen. Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut, expressed similar views to Gallego in a post on X. “Paramount should enjoy its growing news monopoly while they have it, because when Democrats win back power we are going to break up these anti-democratic information conglomerates,” Murphy wrote. “All of them.”
Susan Rice, a former high-ranking official in the Biden and Obama administrations, recently stirred controversy by suggesting political retribution during a Vox interview last month. She claimed that once Democrats regain control of Congress and the White House, they would take action against certain companies.
