Texas National Guard troops arrive in Illinois amid heated political clashes — The deployment of Texas National Guard soldiers to the Chicago area is now unmistakably underway, marking the most visible phase of the Trump administration’s controversial plan that has faced legal challenges and fierce criticism from Democratic leaders. But here’s where it gets controversial: Illinois Governor JB Pritzker claims he had no prior warning from the federal government, accusing President Trump of using these troops as mere "political pawns" to score points rather than address actual needs.
On Tuesday, members of the Texas National Guard were seen getting settled at a U.S. Army Reserve Center in Elwood, Illinois, about 55 miles southwest of Chicago. AP reporters observed military personnel wearing Texas National Guard patches, alongside Emergency Disaster Services trucks arriving with supplies like portable toilets. Rows of trailers were set up, and additional fencing went up around the perimeter, signaling preparations for an extended presence.
While the exact mission of these troops remains unclear, it ties into the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement efforts in Chicago, a city that has long been a focal point for immigration protests—especially near a federal immigration facility in Broadview. The president has repeatedly characterized Chicago as a "hell hole" plagued by crime, yet official police data tells a different story, showing significant declines in violent crime, including a 31% drop in homicides through August this year.
This effort to send federal military forces against the will of local governments has stirred a major showdown with Democratic-led states. Illinois and Chicago are actively seeking judicial intervention to halt what they call "Trump’s self-declared ‘War’ on our state." A court hearing on their lawsuit took place Thursday, illustrating the ongoing tension. Similarly, in Oregon, a judge blocked a similar deployment to Portland over the weekend, adding fuel to the fire.
Illinois Stance: No Troops Needed
Governor Pritzker expected Illinois’ own National Guard to be activated, along with around 400 Texan troops. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, posted photos celebrating the deployment, emphasizing readiness. Meanwhile, Pritzker highlighted his frustration, saying he "canceled everything" on Saturday, waiting for a call from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that never came. To date, he says, Washington has not contacted him even once.
The situation raises important legal and constitutional questions. The Posse Comitatus Act, a nearly 150-year-old law, restricts the military from enforcing domestic laws. However, President Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act, a more extreme measure that permits the president to deploy active-duty troops domestically to suppress insurrections or enforce federal law where local authorities fail.
Security around the Army Reserve Center is tight, with the Federal Aviation Administration imposing flight restrictions until December 6. Locals, like Robert Hartley who works nearby, worry about the implications. “I think the president might be going beyond his authority,” Hartley said, reflecting concerns shared by many.
Months of Mounting Tensions
The deployment comes after months of increasing unease in Chicago, where armed Border Patrol agents have made arrests near iconic landmarks, escalating fears among immigrant communities, especially Latinos. In response, Mayor Brandon Johnson issued an executive order barring federal immigration agents from using city property for their operations, signaling the city's resistance.
Elsewhere, in Memphis, Tennessee, preparations are also underway. Police Chief Cerelyn Davis reported that National Guard troops could arrive soon, with commanders already coordinating plans. Tennessee’s Republican Governor Bill Lee supports the deployment, saying these troops will be deputized by U.S. Marshals to assist local law enforcement — though precise roles remain somewhat vague.
A Broader Military Strategy
President Trump's broader military approach has targeted at least ten cities during his second term, including Baltimore, Memphis, Washington D.C., New Orleans, and several California cities such as Oakland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. This strategy raises questions, especially since statistics show overall violent crime in many of these places has declined significantly in recent years. For instance, Portland's homicides decreased by 51% during the first half of 2025 compared to 2024.
Portland has been a hotspot, with nightly protests at a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility for months, reaching a peak in June when the police declared a riot. Tensions remain high, with repeated clashes and federal agents even employing tear gas recently. A federal appeals court is set to hear arguments Thursday on the government’s attempt to overturn a decision blocking Guard deployment there.
Oregon’s Democratic Governor Tina Kotek firmly rejects the idea that an insurrection is occurring, vowing state opposition to any military policing. Portland’s Police Chief Bob Day acknowledges the challenge of coordinating with federal agents, whose policies differ from local standards. Meanwhile, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem warned Portland’s mayor that without increased local security support at the ICE building, federal forces could be increased fourfold.
The controversy extends beyond Chicago and Portland. A federal judge ruled in September that the Trump administration "willfully" broke the law by deploying Guard troops to Los Angeles amid protests over immigration raids, raising serious legal questions about executive power and military involvement in local affairs.
What do you think? Is using the National Guard and federal troops for immigration enforcement a necessary step for safety, or is it a politically motivated overreach that threatens local autonomy and civil rights? This debate cuts to the heart of how the U.S. balances federal authority with state and community governance. Share your perspective below — do you agree or disagree with the deployment?
Fernando reported from Chicago. Contributing AP reporters include Claire Rush in Portland, Oregon; Adrian Sainz in Memphis, Tennessee; Sarah Raza in Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Scott Bauer in Madison, Wisconsin; and Ed White in Detroit.
