The Trump administration has announced plans to federalize 300 members of the Illinois National Guard, raising alarm within the state government. Democratic Governor JB Pritzker disclosed this development on Saturday, expressing outrage at what he termed an 'un-American' demand from the federal administration.
Pritzker stated that he received an ultimatum from the Pentagon early Saturday: either call up the troops voluntarily or have them activated without state consent. The governor refrained from specifying potential deployment locations or timings, but noted President Trump's history of threatening to send troops into Chicago.
“This is absolutely outrageous to demand a Governor send military troops within our own borders against our will,” Pritzker stated, emphasizing that the situation appears more about federal control than enhancing safety.
This escalation of federal law enforcement mirrors similar actions in other cities including Portland, Baltimore, and Memphis. Trump's administration has previously deployed the National Guard inLos Angeles and during the unrest in Washington, D.C.
Critics, including Pritzker, argue such moves not only disrupt the personal lives of National Guard members but also undermine local law enforcement agencies that have been working with federal officials to manage safety and immigration-related matters.
Federal officials recently reported that 13 protesters were arrested near the Broadview facility on the outskirts of Chicago, a focal point for immigration enforcement. The apparent surge in federal presence has sparked significant backlash, indicating a growing divide between state authority and federal intervention.
As legal challenges surface over the federalization of troops, Pritzker and other state officials continue to argue against the deployment, underscoring the contention surrounding the federal government’s increasing role in local law enforcement operations.
