Sen. Duckworth: 300 Illinois National Guard Members to Be Federalized Despite Governor's Objection
The White House has authorized the federalization of roughly 300 Illinois National Guard members to protect federal property and employees (including ICE and FPS) amid protests, a move Gov. J.B. Pritzker says came after the Pentagon gave him an "ultimatum" and which he has publicly objected to. Sen. Tammy Duckworth called the activation a “misuse of the National Guard,” said it appears to be taking place against the governor’s wishes, and criticized the administration’s rationale and funding priorities.
Politics
Military
Public Safety
đź“Ś Key Facts
- The White House authorized federalizing 300 Illinois National Guard members, saying the troops will be used to "protect federal officers and assets" (including ICE and Federal Protective Service personnel), according to White House spokespeople and reporting.
- Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the Pentagon informed Illinois it would federalize about 300 Guardsmen, described the Pentagon's action as an "ultimatum" (call them up or they will be federalized), and said the White House and Pentagon did not fully answer follow‑up questions.
- Sen. Tammy Duckworth said the roughly 300 troops are being federalized "against the governor's wishes," called the move a "misuse of the National Guard," urged support for the Guardspeople, and criticized the administration for other policy choices (she said $800 million was diverted from crime‑prevention funding).
- NPR reviewed a federal memo saying federalized Guard members will protect federal property and employees (ICE, FPS) and be sent to locations with "violent demonstrations" based on threat assessments; NPR also cited an OPB memo federalizing 200 Oregon Guard members for 60 days.
- Local officials and communities have strongly objected: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson condemned the president's use of military forces in U.S. cities and urged Congressional action; Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson said "We don't want them here" and "We don't need them."
- On‑the‑ground reporting documents confrontations and enforcement tactics across cities — including armed federal officers seen in downtown Chicago, Border Patrol boats on the Chicago River, marches on Michigan Avenue, use of pepper balls and tear gas near Broadview/Chicago, and arrests near a Broadview ICE facility — and Portland's deployment already prompted protests and a lawsuit.
- The Illinois federalization is part of a broader federal surge: additional federal agents were scheduled to arrive in Memphis, deployments have occurred or been proposed in Portland, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., and earlier reporting showed some Pentagon officials initially said they had not issued a deployment order and learned of requests from media.
đź“š Contextual Background
- On 2025-09-30 members of the Oregon National Guard reported for duty to prepare to support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other U.S. government personnel and to protect federal property in Oregon; the troops were to come from a military police company and an infantry company.
đź“° Sources (9)
Trump federalizes the National Guard in Chicago, while troops arrive in Oregon
New information:
- NPR reviewed a copy of a federal memo specifying Guard members will be used to protect federal property and federal employees (ICE, FPS) and will be sent to locations with 'violent demonstrations' based on threat assessments.
- The White House publicly 'authorized' deployment of 300 Illinois National Guard members and White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson framed the move as to 'protect federal officers and assets.'
- Governor J.B. Pritzker's quoted response that the Department of War gave him an 'ultimatum' (tweeted statement) is included.
Transcript: Sen. Tammy Duckworth on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Oct. 5, 2025
New information:
- Sen. Tammy Duckworth on Oct. 5, 2025 said the roughly 300 troops 'are going to be Illinois National Guardsmen' and that the activation appears to be taking place 'against the governor's wishes.'
- Duckworth publicly characterized the federalization as a 'misuse of the National Guard' and called for welcoming the guardspeople while criticizing the administration's rationale.
- Duckworth asserted the administration 'diverted $800 million in crime prevention efforts' away from funding police—an explicit policy criticism offered on-air.
Gov. Pritzker says Trump plans to deploy National Guard in Illinois
New information:
- Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the Pentagon informed Illinois it would federalize 300 Illinois National Guard members.
- Pritzker provided a direct quote asserting the Pentagon issued an 'ultimatum' to call up troops or they would be federalized.
- The story notes White House and Pentagon did not respond to questions about Pritzker’s claim.
- Contextual update: federal deployments and legal challenges referenced (deployments to Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.; 200 National Guard troops federalized in Oregon) and reporting that 13 people were arrested near the Broadview ICE facility.
Chicago-area mayor insists 'we don't need' Guard troops despite repeated anti-ICE clashes
New information:
- Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson—leader of a Chicago suburb of under 8,000 residents—publicly said her community does not want or need National Guard troops.
- Article quotes Thompson directly: "We don't want them here" and "We don't need them," and notes she said Broadview can govern itself.
- ICE issued a formal statement responding to Thompson, urging local enforcement and accusing her of 'distorting reality.'
- Article reiterates that federal agents used pepper balls and tear gas during Broadview clashes on Sept. 26, 2025.
Chicago mayor says 'unstable human being' Trump must be 'checked' on military use in US cities
New information:
- Direct quote from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson calling President Trump an 'unstable human being' and saying 'it's right for this moment to check him.'
- Mayor Johnson's public call on Congress to 'do its job' to restrain presidential authority over domestic deployment of military forces.
- Mayor Johnson's explicit framing that deploying armed, militarized troops against U.S. cities is 'appalling' and an 'egregious attempt to undermine the sanctity of our democracy.'
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').