Federal agents, Border Patrol patrols in Chicago as governor says DHS requested 100 troops
Federal agents and Border Patrol officers were seen patrolling downtown Chicago this weekend — including boat patrols on the Chicago River and marches on Michigan Avenue — and activists described an incident near the Cloud Gate "Bean" where a Latino family was escorted away; Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said DHS has requested about 100 troops and that the Illinois National Guard received a memo to the Defense Department to protect ICE personnel and facilities. The Chicago activity mirrors broader federal deployments to Portland and Memphis that have drawn protests and lawsuits, with on‑the‑ground video showing armed federal officers in city centers and additional agents reported en route to Memphis.
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🔍 Key Facts
- Federal agents and Border Patrol were observed patrolling downtown Chicago this weekend, including armed officers on foot, use of boats on the Chicago River, and marches on Michigan Avenue; activists described an incident near the 'Bean' in which a Latino family of four was reportedly led away.
- Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the Department of Homeland Security sent a memo to the Defense Department requesting about 100 troops to Illinois to protect ICE personnel and facilities, and the Illinois National Guard received notice of the request.
- On‑the‑ground video and reporting show similar federal deployments in other Democratic-run cities, and additional federal agents were reported scheduled to arrive in Memphis imminently.
- The Portland deployment sparked protests and a lawsuit from state and city leaders in response to the federal actions.
- NPR reported President Trump used explicit Truth Social language authorizing 'Full Force' and naming Hegseth in the plan to send troops to multiple cities; Pentagon officials said they had not issued a deployment order and learned of the request from the media.
- NPR cited a Department of Defense memo federalizing 200 Oregon National Guard members for 60 days, providing a concrete troop count and duration for the Oregon deployment.
- Local officials mounted immediate legal and public responses to the federal actions; Portland Mayor Keith Wilson publicly criticized the troop requirement, calling the required troops 'zero.'
📰 Sources (4)
Illinois governor says troops could be deployed to Chicago as immigration agents patrol downtown
New information:
- Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said it appeared the federal government would deploy about 100 troops to Illinois to protect ICE personnel and facilities.
- Pritzker said the Illinois National Guard received word that DHS sent a memo to the Defense Department requesting troops to protect ICE.
- Reporting details enforcement tactics in Chicago this weekend: Border Patrol agents used boats on the Chicago River and marched on Michigan Avenue; an incident near the 'Bean' where a Latino family of four was reportedly led away was described by activists.
Trump shifts crime crackdown strategy with federal agents in Democratic cities
New information:
- On‑the‑ground video showing armed federal officers in downtown Chicago.
- CBS reports the Portland deployment sparked protests and a lawsuit by state and city leaders (visual reporting confirming local reaction).
- Reporters say additional federal agents are scheduled to arrive in Memphis today, giving a near‑term timing for the operation.
3 things to know about Trump's plan to send troops to Portland and Memphis
New information:
- NPR records Trump’s explicit Truth Social language authorizing 'Full Force' and naming Hegseth; it also reports Pentagon officials saying they had not issued a deployment order and learned of the request from media.
- NPR cites OPB reporting on a DoD memo federalizing 200 Oregon Guard members for 60 days, a concrete troop count and duration not detailed in earlier surge summaries.
- NPR documents local officials' immediate legal response and public quotes (Mayor Keith Wilson calling required troops 'zero').