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The Governor of Illinois has condemned President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy 300 federally controlled National Guard troops to Chicago.
Some shit you should know before you dig in: Over the last two months, President Trump has hinted that he would be deploying troops to Chicago, framing the move as necessary to combat both rising crime and ongoing anti-ICE protests. He has repeatedly described Chicago as a “war zone” and suggested the city could be cleaned up like DC. In recent weeks, demonstrations near ICE facilities in the Chicago area have intensified, with protestors and rioters clashing with federal agents. Over the weekend, a convoy of ICE vehicles were targeted by rioters throwing rocks and other objects. Standoffs outside detention centers have also continued, with activists forming human barriers to prevent ICE agents from entering or exiting.

What’s going on now: In a notable development, Trump confirmed over the weekend that his administration has authorized the federalization of 300 members of the Illinois National Guard, with plans to deploy them in and around Chicago. According to a White House statement, the deployment is aimed at protecting federal officers and property amidst what it called “violent riots and lawlessness” that local leaders have “refused to step in to quell.” While the administration has not specified exactly where the troops will be stationed or what their operational timeline will be, reports indicate they will support existing federal forces at immigration enforcement sites and high-priority federal buildings.
Governor JB Pritzker has pushed back against the decision, calling it an “outrageous and un-American” overreach of executive power. In a statement posted on social media, Pritzker said, “This morning, the Trump Administration’s Department of War gave me an ultimatum: call up your troops, or we will.” He continued, “They will pull hardworking Americans out of their regular jobs and away from their families all to participate in a manufactured performance—not a serious effort to protect public safety.” Pritzker has insisted that local and state law enforcement are fully capable of managing protests and ensuring public safety without federal military involvement, and he has vowed not to voluntarily activate the Guard.
Pritzker has pledged to use all legal and constitutional tools at his disposal to resist what he calls a “reckless, authoritarian power grab.” Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has also weighed in, signaling that legal challenges may be imminent if federal forces overstep constitutional boundaries.
As of now, the White House has not clarified the duration or scope of the deployment.