Hundreds of National Guard troops remain stationed near Chicago as Illinois officials await a judge’s ruling on whether Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement operation can continue. The city’s leaders are fighting what they call an “unconstitutional” deployment, while the Trump administration insists the troops are there to protect federal buildings and personnel. The escalating standoff highlights growing tensions between state authorities and Washington over Trump’s repeated use of military forces in U.S. cities.
Troops Await Court Decision
Around 500 National Guard members, 200 from Texas and 300 from Illinois, have been deployed to Chicago for an “initial period of 60 days,” according to U.S. Northern Command. The troops, described as part of a “federal protection mission,” are reportedly tasked with safeguarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) buildings and other federal properties. City and state officials, however, are still waiting for a court decision that could halt the deployment.
Heavily Guarded Camp Near Chicago
The troops have been stationed at an army training site southwest of Chicago, now surrounded by extra fencing and covered with tarps to block public view. Trucks labeled “Emergency Disaster Services” were seen entering the area, unloading portable toilets and supplies. Trailers have been lined up in rows, forming a temporary military camp as the city braces for the next legal steps.
Officials Denounce Lack of Communication
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker condemned the federal government for failing to share information about troop movements. “The federal government has not communicated with us in any way about their troop movements,” Pritzker said. “I can’t believe I have to say ‘troop movements’ in an American city, but that is what we’re talking about here.” City and state officials continue to express frustration over what they call a federal overreach into local governance.
Trump’s Expanding Crackdown
This marks the fourth time in as many months that Trump has deployed National Guard troops to major U.S. cities. Similar actions were taken in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Memphis, all but one against the wishes of local leaders. The deployments come amid Trump’s claims that Democratic-run cities are overrun with crime, though police data from Chicago shows a significant drop in most crime categories, including homicides.
Legal and Constitutional Showdown
A court hearing is scheduled to determine whether the deployment violates the law. Illinois and Chicago officials have filed to block the move, citing the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts military involvement in domestic law enforcement. Trump, however, has hinted he may invoke the Insurrection Act — a 19th-century law allowing presidents to use troops in states defying federal authority. “This is about authoritarianism. It’s about stoking fear,” Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson warned. “It’s about breaking the constitution that would give him that much more control over our American cities.”
Trump’s Escalating Rhetoric
Trump intensified his attacks online, saying that Governor Pritzker and Mayor Johnson “should be in jail” for allegedly failing to protect federal agents. Responding defiantly, Pritzker said in Chicago, “If you come for my people, you come through me. So come and get me.” His remarks reflect the widening political divide as Trump’s immigration enforcement push faces resistance across multiple states.
Memphis Deployment Adds to Tensions
Meanwhile, in Memphis, a smaller group of troops joined the Memphis Safe Task Force, a coalition of federal law enforcement agencies formed by Trump to fight crime. Tennessee’s Republican Governor Bill Lee welcomed the deployment, saying he did not expect more than 150 troops in the city. The contrasting reactions between Illinois and Tennessee underscore the political polarization surrounding Trump’s law enforcement strategy.
