President Trump Orders Deployment of Texas National Guard to Illinois Amid State Opposition

President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of 400 members of the Texas National Guard to Illinois, Oregon, and other states, according to Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker. The governor stated that the federal government did not consult him prior to this decision.

"We must now start calling this what it is: Trump's Invasion," Pritzker said. "It started with federal agents, it will soon include deploying federalized members of the Illinois National Guard against our wishes, and it will now involve sending in another state's military troops."

Pritzker also mentioned that the Department of Homeland Security had previously requested up to 100 troops to protect ICE assets and agents in Illinois. He called on Texas Governor Greg Abbott to withdraw support for the deployment. In response, Abbott stated on social media that he "fully authorizes" the deployment of Texas National Guard members to other states to ensure the safety of federal officials.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson criticized the deployment, stating that National Guard troops from Texas would only serve to further escalate the Trump administration's actions in the city. Both Pritzker and Johnson have consistently opposed the use of National Guard members for law enforcement purposes.

Pritzker emphasized that there is no need for military troops on the ground in Illinois, as state, county, and local law enforcement have been coordinating to ensure public safety. He stated that he will not call up the National Guard to further what he described as Trump's acts of aggression against the people.

President Trump has asserted his authority to send the National Guard to Chicago, despite a California court ruling that he overstepped his authority in sending members to Los Angeles during protests earlier this year. He indicated a desire to send the National Guard to Chicago and other cities but later stated that officials would have to request such assistance.

"We could straighten out Chicago — all they have to do is ask us," Trump told reporters. "I want to go into Chicago, and I have this incompetent governor who doesn't want us."

Pritzker has consistently opposed such a move and has insisted that he would not request such assistance.

"He wants to set into the fact pattern that the governor called him to ask for help. Why? Because he's going to end up in court," Pritzker said. "He's going to end up in court, and that will be a fact that they will use in court. That the governor called to ask for help, and I'm sorry I'm not going to provide him with evidence to support his desire to have the court rule in his favor. I'm just not going to do that."