Governor Pritzker Decries Federal Move to Deploy National Guard in Illinois

Fri Oct 10 2025 14:46:14 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker criticizes the Trump administration's decision to federalize 300 National Guard members, framing it as a misuse of federal power and a threat to the safety and autonomy of the state.

The Trump administration's decision to federalize 300 members of the Illinois National Guard has sparked controversy, with Governor JB Pritzker condemning the move as un-American and politically motivated. He emphasized the need for state and local control in law enforcement matters, especially amidst rising tensions surrounding immigration enforcement policies.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has voiced strong opposition to the Trump administration's recent decision to federalize 300 members of the Illinois National Guard. Pritzker announced the news on Saturday, emphasizing that the troops would be called up without the state’s consent.

According to reports from the Pentagon, the National Guard troops could potentially be deployed in Chicago, a move that President Trump has hinted at previously. Pritzker, expressing outrage over the decision, stated, “It is absolutely outrageous and un-American to demand a Governor send military troops within our own borders and against our will.”

The announcement has raised concerns not only for the military members who may be pulled from their families and civilian jobs but also for the broader implications it holds for state control over local issues. Pritzker contended that the deployment appears to be a politically motivated maneuver rather than a genuine concern for public safety.

Federal law enforcement escalations have recently included similar deployments in various U.S. cities such as Portland, Oregon; Baltimore; and Memphis. The actions have sparked legal challenges, with local and state officials seeking judicial intervention to halt deployments they view as politically charged and unnecessary.

Pritzker noted that state and local law enforcement have been effectively collaborating to ensure the safety of facilities like the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement center located in Broadview, near Chicago. His administration aims to maintain local control amid rising tensions statewide regarding immigration enforcement.

In recent sessions, federal officials reported arrests of protesters near ICE facilities in Illinois, highlighting the ongoing friction surrounding immigration policies under the Trump administration. Pritzker emphasized that, for the president, the issue is not one of safety but rather about exerting control over states.

As legal battles unfold, Pritzker continues to rally for state autonomy against what he perceives as an overreach of federal authority, highlighting a growing divide in political and public safety discourse in the U.S.