The Trump administration’s intention to place a state’s National Guard under federal jurisdiction has come to light, despite facing a setback in its efforts against internal adversaries. Governor JB Pritzker of Illinois disclosed that the administration plans to federalize 300 members of the Illinois National Guard, denouncing the move as “outrageous and un-American.” The notification from the recently renamed Department of War was received by the state’s National Guard on Saturday, prompting concerns about the deployment’s timing and location. While specifics on deployment remain undisclosed, President Trump has persistently hinted at sending troops to Chicago for law enforcement purposes.
Governor Pritzker condemned the administration’s ultimatum to mobilize the troops, emphasizing the impropriety of coercing a state governor to deploy military forces against their own citizens. This escalation of federal law enforcement actions in Illinois mirrors similar crackdowns witnessed in other regions like Baltimore and Memphis, with past instances of National Guard deployment in Los Angeles following federal enforcement actions in Washington DC.
Characterizing Trump’s actions in Illinois as a staged spectacle, Governor Pritzker criticized the move for disrupting the lives of National Guard members and diverting them from their regular duties. Efforts are being made by state, county, and local law enforcement to secure the Broadview ICE facility near Chicago, with Governor Pritzker highlighting Trump’s motives as centered around control rather than safety.
Recent arrests made near the immigration facility have drawn attention to the Trump administration’s intensified immigration enforcement measures this season. Notably, Trump’s plans to expand National Guard deployment faced a setback when a federal judge in Oregon temporarily halted the administration’s move to deploy troops in Portland, following legal action by the state and city authorities.
Reflecting on the nation’s historical resistance to military encroachment in civil affairs, US District Judge Karin Immergut underscored the nation’s commitment to constitutional law over martial law.
