President Trump authorized federal service for up to 300 Illinois National Guard members to protect ICE officers and facilities in the Chicago region for at least 60 days, according to a memo from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and confirmed by the White House [chicagotribune.com#1][boston.com#1][bbc.com#1]. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said an additional 400 Texas National Guard members were being ordered to Illinois, Oregon, and other locations, adding he was not consulted [chicagotribune.com#1][thehill.com#1][nypost.com#1]. Late Sunday, a federal judge separately blocked a similar attempt to deploy California National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon [chicagotribune.com#1][boston.com#1].
Highlights:
- Chicago mission: A Hegseth memo says up to 300 Illinois Guard will be federally activated to protect ICE officers and facilities in the Chicago area for at least 60 days [chicagotribune.com#1][bbc.com#1].
- Texas troops: Gov. JB Pritzker said 400 Texas National Guard members were being ordered to Illinois and Oregon, noting he was not contacted by federal officials [thehill.com#1][chicagotribune.com#1][nypost.com#1].
- White House rationale: A White House spokesperson confirmed the authorization, citing “ongoing violent riots and lawlessness” that local leaders have not quelled [boston.com#1].
- Court setback: A federal judge late Sunday blocked an attempted deployment of California National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon [chicagotribune.com#1][boston.com#1].
- Wider context: The deployments follow escalated immigration enforcement actions in Illinois and Oregon amid continued protests around ICE facilities [chicagotribune.com#1][thehill.com#1].
This evening, President Trump is ordering 400 members of the Texas National Guard for deployments to Illinois, Oregon, and other locations within the United States. – Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker
Perspectives:
- White House: Says the Guard call-up is needed due to ongoing violent riots and lawlessness that local leaders have not quelled. (Boston.com)
- Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker: Criticizes the deployments as 'Trump’s Invasion' and says he was not consulted about Texas National Guard arrivals. (Chicago Tribune)
Sources:
- Trump to send 400 Texas National Guard troops to Illinois as anti-ICE protests continue to rage: Pritzker – nypost.com
- Pritzker says Trump is ordering Texas National Guard members to Illinois – reddit.com
- Gov. JB Pritzker says Texas National Guard expected to join troops from Illinois as deportations escalate – chicagotribune.com
- Pritzker: 400 Texas National Guard headed to Illinois, Oregon – thehill.com
- Trump authorises deployment of 300 National Guard troops to Chicago – allsides.com
- Trump plans to federalize 300 troops in Chicago, as judge blocks a similar mobilization in Oregon – boston.com
- U.S. president Donald Trump authorizes the deployment of 300 National Guard personnel to Chicago, Illinois. – bbc.com
