Pritzker accuses Trump Management of Attempting too Federalize Illinois National Guard
CHICAGO – Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has accused the Trump administration of attempting to federalize 300 members of the Illinois National Guard, escalating a conflict over the deployment of federal agents to the state.Pritzker alleges the move is a politically motivated effort to control, rather than ensure public safety, and vowed to resist the federal government’s actions.
The governor’s statement comes amid ongoing tension surrounding federal law enforcement presence in chicago, particularly near the Broadview ICE facility. Pritzker has repeatedly asserted that state and local law enforcement are adequately equipped to maintain public safety and protect Frist Amendment rights, rendering the deployment of federal troops unneeded. This latest growth marks a notable escalation,raising concerns about the potential erosion of state authority and the militarization of local law enforcement.
According to Pritzker, the Trump administration initially sought to deploy 100 troops to protect ICE facilities in Illinois. He further stated the president reportedly told senior military leaders that cities like Chicago should serve as “training grounds” for troops – a claim that prompted Pritzker to call for the invocation of the 25th Amendment.
“They will pull hardworking Americans out of their regular jobs and away from their families all to participate in a manufactured performance — not a serious effort to protect public safety,” pritzker said. “For Donald Trump, this has never been about safety. this is about control.”
The governor emphasized he will not deploy the Illinois National Guard to support what he characterizes as “Trump’s acts of aggression against our people.” He affirmed Illinois will continue to prioritize the safety of its residents, uphold the Constitution, and defend the rule of law.
On Friday, Department of Homeland Security Secretary kristi Noem and U.S. Border Patrol official Greg Bovino were in Chicago overseeing ICE operations. CBS News Chicago has reached out to the Illinois National guard and the Attorney General’s Office for comment but has not yet received a response.
