Governors React to Trump's Plan to Federalize National Guard in Illinois

Mon Oct 20 2025 21:23:47 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker condemns the Trump administration's decision to federalize 300 Illinois National Guard members, asserting it undermines state authority and safety.

Georgia Governor JB Pritzker has publicly criticized President Trump's decision to federalize 300 members of the Illinois National Guard. The Pentagon informed Pritzker of the move, which aligns with recent escalations of federal enforcement in various U.S. cities. Pritzker described the ultimatum as ‘outrageous and un-American’. In the context of ongoing unrest and protests, Trump's actions have sparked significant backlash from local officials and citizens, further complicating response efforts to the administration's immigration policies.

The Trump administration has announced plans to federalize 300 members of the Illinois National Guard, prompting Illinois Governor JB Pritzker to respond with strong criticism on Saturday.

Pritzker revealed that the Pentagon communicated the decision in the morning, although he did not provide specific details regarding the deployment's timing or location. This announcement follows President Trump's ongoing threats to deploy federal troops to Chicago.

Governor Pritzker stated, “This morning, the Trump Administration’s Department of War gave me an ultimatum: call up your troops, or we will.” He described the situation as utterly “outrageous and un-American,” pointing to the implications of forcing state leaders to mobilize military forces against their will.

In light of recent unrest across the country, similar federal troop deployments have been observed in cities such as Baltimore and Memphis. Last summer, Trump also directed the National Guard to Los Angeles and took assertive actions in Washington, D.C.

Pritzker criticized the President's motives, stating, “For Donald Trump, this has never been about safety. This is about control.” The governor pointed out that state, county, and local law enforcement have been collaborating effectively to manage local safety concerns, especially regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in the Chicago area.

In protest against the heightened immigration enforcement, federal authorities reported that 13 individuals were arrested near the ICE Broadview facility. This site has faced significant scrutiny and opposition amidst the current administration's immigration policies.

Pritzker’s administration, alongside other local officials, is now seeking legal recourse to challenge this deployment. U.S. District Court Judge Karin J. Immergut is set to rule on the matter in the coming days.

Trump has similarly utilized federal troops in Oregon, a move that has drawn criticism from state leaders. Reports reveal that while 200 National Guard members have been federalized, their deployment specifics are still uncertain.