National Guard Deployed to Chicago Amidst Governor’s Protest
CHICAGO, IL – Three hundred members of the U.S. National Guard have been deployed to Chicago, Illinois, at the direction of President Donald Trump, sparking immediate condemnation from the state’s Democratic Governor. The deployment, confirmed by NOS News today, October 5th, at 02:39 local time, comes despite objections from both Governor Pritzker and Chicago’s mayor.
The move escalates a growing conflict between the Trump administration and Democratic leadership in several major U.S. cities, framed by the White house as a response to “persistent violent riots and lawlessness.” Governor Pritzker alleges he received an ultimatum from the Department of Defence on Saturday morning – described as “Call your troops, otherwise we will do it” – which he called “scandalous and on-American to demand from a governor to send troops against his will.” The location and specific deployment details of the National Guard members remain unknown.
President Trump has repeatedly alluded to utilizing the National Guard in Chicago, the largest city in Illinois. This action follows a similar, though currently blocked, attempt to deploy the National Guard to Oregon, where a federal judge has temporarily halted the deployment pending a legal review. Earlier this year, the National Guard was deployed to Washington D.C., justified by the President as necesary to combat crime, despite data indicating a decrease in criminal activity.In Los Angeles, the Guard was used to quell protests against migrant deportations.
During a speech to the U.S. Army on Tuesday, Trump stated his desire to ”restore order” in cities including San Francisco, Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles – all currently led by Democratic administrations – even suggesting these cities could serve as “training location[s].” The intent behind this statement remains unclear.
