Trump Authorizes National Guard Deployment to Chicago
300 troops to protect federal assets amid legal challenges in multiple states
President Trump has authorized the deployment of 300 Illinois National Guard members to Chicago to protect federal officers and assets. The White House cited ongoing violence and lawlessness as justification for the federal intervention. This action follows similar deployments in Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and planned deployments in Memphis and Portland.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker stated that the Pentagon notified the National Guard early in the day about the deployment. The Department of Homeland Security also reported an incident in Chicago where Border Patrol agents were allegedly trapped by vehicles and fired defensively when someone attempted to run them over. A woman identified as Marimar Martinez was injured in the shooting and taken into custody after hospital treatment.
KEY POINTS
- •300 National Guard troops to Chicago
- •Similar deployments in other cities
- •Legal challenges in multiple states
The deployment in Chicago is part of a broader pattern of federal law enforcement actions in various cities. In Los Angeles, California Governor Gavin Newsom sued to block the deployment and won a temporary injunction, though a federal appeals court indicated the government might prevail. Similarly, Oregon officials sued to prevent National Guard deployment in Portland, with a federal judge temporarily blocking the action pending further arguments.
Governor Pritzker criticized the deployment, stating that state, county, and local law enforcement have been coordinating to ensure safety at federal facilities. Federal officials reported arrests of 13 people protesting near an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview, outside Chicago. The facility has been frequently targeted during recent immigration enforcement operations.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem characterized Chicago as a "war zone" and claimed protesters are being paid to disrupt operations and incite violence against officers. The Chicago Police Department confirmed a shooting incident but stated they were not involved in the incident or its investigation, referring questions to federal authorities. The deployment raises questions about federal authority versus state control in domestic law enforcement matters.