The Trump administration’s decision to place a state National Guard unit under federal authority has come to light, despite facing setbacks in its efforts against internal threats. Governor JB Pritzker of Illinois revealed that the administration intends to federalize 300 National Guard members, a move he strongly criticized as “un-American.” The Department of War, recently renamed, informed the state’s National Guard of the troop activation. While details of deployment remain undisclosed, there have been longstanding warnings from Trump about sending troops to Chicago for law enforcement purposes.
Governor Pritzker condemned the ultimatum from the Department of War, emphasizing that it is unacceptable to coerce a governor into deploying troops within their state against their wishes. The increasing presence of federal law enforcement in Illinois mirrors similar actions taken in other parts of the country, such as Baltimore and Memphis. Trump’s previous deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles and Washington DC marked initial steps in enforcing federal authority.
Pritzker criticized Trump’s actions in Illinois as a staged performance that disrupts the lives of National Guard members and their families. He highlighted ongoing efforts by local law enforcement to secure the Broadview ICE facility near Chicago, suggesting that Trump’s motives are more about control than safety. Recent arrests of protesters near the immigration facility have raised concerns amidst heightened immigration enforcement activities.
However, Trump’s broader plan to deploy the National Guard faced a setback when a federal judge in Oregon temporarily blocked the administration from sending troops to Portland. The judge emphasized the nation’s historical resistance to military intervention in civil affairs, asserting the importance of upholding constitutional law over martial law principles.
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