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CHICAGO, IL — October 8, 2025
In a dramatic escalation of tensions between state and federal authorities, 500 National Guard troops have arrived in the Chicago metropolitan area, despite legal and political resistance from Illinois officials. The troops, drawn from Texas and Illinois National Guard units, are stationed at the Army Reserve Training Center in Elwood, approximately an hour southwest of Chicago.
The deployment, announced by U.S. Northern Command, is slated to last 60 days and aims to “protect federal personnel and property,” particularly U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities. But the move has ignited a constitutional clash between President Donald Trump and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who denounced the action as an “unconstitutional invasion.”
Legal Battle: Illinois Sues to Block Federal Troops
Just days before the arrival, the state of Illinois and the city of Chicago filed a lawsuit seeking to block the Trump administration’s deployment of federally activated National Guard troops. The suit argues that the federal government’s unilateral decision to send troops into the state violates the 10th Amendment and undermines state sovereignty.
Governor Pritzker issued a forceful statement:
“We must now start calling this what it is: Trump’s Invasion. It started with federal agents, and now includes federally controlled members of our own National Guard, deployed against our wishes. This is an abuse of power and a threat to democracy.”
Pritzker emphasized that Illinois National Guard members should not be used as “political props” in what he described as a partisan stunt aimed at scoring points ahead of the 2026 election season.
Breakdown of the Deployment
200 troops from the Texas National Guard
300 troops from the Illinois National Guard
All stationed at Elwood Army Reserve Center
Mission: Protect ICE offices, federal agents, and federal property in the Chicago area
Duration: 60 days (subject to extension)
According to U.S. Northern Command, the deployment is intended to ensure “the safety of federal law enforcement officers and the continuity of federal operations.”
However, critics argue the move is part of Trump’s broader agenda to assert federal dominance in Democrat-led states and cities.
War of Words: Trump vs. Pritzker and Johnson
The political feud escalated when President Trump took to Truth Social on Wednesday, declaring that Governor Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson “should be in jail” for “failing to protect ICE officers.”
Trump has repeatedly threatened to send troops to Chicago and other major cities, citing rising crime and what he calls “lawless sanctuary city policies.”
Pritzker responded swiftly on X (formerly Twitter):
“Trump is now calling for the arrest of elected officials checking his power. What’s next? This is how authoritarianism begins.”
Mayor Brandon Johnson, echoing Pritzker’s sentiments, said:
“This isn’t the first time Trump has tried to unjustly target a Black leader. I’m not backing down.”
Wider National Impact: Other States Push Back
Illinois isn’t alone in resisting the federalized troop deployments. In Oregon, Governor Tina Kotek successfully obtained a temporary restraining order blocking similar federal National Guard deployments to Portland.
Kotek criticized the administration, stating:
“Our National Guard members are citizens first — neighbors, workers, parents — not pawns for political theater. Judge Immergut’s order is a powerful statement against federal overreach.”
What’s Next: Legal Showdown Looms
The Illinois case is expected to move quickly through the courts, with constitutional scholars calling it a test case for the limits of federal authority over state National Guards.
Legal experts say the Posse Comitatus Act—which restricts the federal government’s ability to use the military for domestic law enforcement—could play a key role in the outcome.
If the courts side with Illinois, it could curtail the president’s ability to deploy state-controlled forces without consent. If not, it may expand federal power in unprecedented ways.
What This Means for Chicago Residents
While the troops are not expected to patrol city streets, their presence near Chicago has sparked concerns about militarization, civil liberties, and political polarization. Local activists and community leaders have announced plans for peaceful protests in downtown Chicago and Joliet this weekend.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed and follow updates from official state channels and reliable news sources as the situation evolves.
Key Takeaways
500 National Guard troops deployed to the Chicago area from Texas and Illinois.
Mission: Protect federal property and ICE personnel for 60 days.
Governor JB Pritzker calls it an “unconstitutional invasion.”
Illinois and Chicago have filed a lawsuit to block the deployment.
President Trump defends the move, escalating political tensions.
Legal battle expected over federal vs. state authority under the 10th Amendment.
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