Trump Plans Federalize 300 Illinois National Guard Amid Chicago ICE Tensions

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the Trump administration informed him it intends to federalize 300 members of the Illinois National Guard after he refused to deploy them to Chicago, telling him to 'call up your troops, or we will.' He condemned the move as outrageous and un-American, saying there is no need for military troops in Illinois and that federalization would pull citizens from their jobs and families to serve what he called a political performance. The administration says the forces would protect ICE personnel and facilities amid a nationwide immigration-enforcement surge and Operation Midway Blitz, which has prompted large protests and clashes with federal agents, including reports of tear gas, arrests and a shooting by Border Patrol. The White House and Defense Department did not immediately comment, and the development follows other contested troop deployments and legal fights over federalizing Guard units in cities such as Portland. Local officials including Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson have warned that militarized deployments will escalate fear and undermine community safety; the situation is developing.