Texas Guard begins operations protecting federal sites in Chicago amid court fights, Homan says
Texas National Guard troops staged at the U.S. Army Reserve Training Center in Elwood, Ill., have begun operations protecting federal immigration officers and facilities in the Chicago area — Pentagon and media reports cite roughly 200 Texas troops on the ground with administration officials saying as many as ~500 will be involved and some were expected to begin assignments this week. The deployment — accompanied by visible staging (trailers, fencing, FAA flight restrictions) — is the subject of a legal challenge by Illinois and Chicago with a federal hearing set for Thursday, and has drawn sharp criticism from Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson even as DHS and officials like Tom Homan defend the mission.
Politics
Legal
Public Safety
Military
đź“Ś Key Facts
- Approximately 200 Texas National Guard troops have staged at the U.S. Army Reserve Training Center in Elwood, Illinois, and officials (including Tom Homan) said the Texas troops began working Tuesday night; staging included trailers, portable toilets, temporary fencing and FAA flight restrictions over the site through Dec. 6, 2025.
- Officials say roughly 500 National Guard troops in total — including about 200 from Texas and additional units from other states — are being federalized to protect federal immigration officers, facilities and functions (not to perform general local law enforcement); the Pentagon framed the mission as a Federal Protection Mission and the mobilization was initially for about 60 days.
- Pentagon memos and reporting indicate Defense Department leaders authorized federalization of 'hundreds' of Guard members and signaled the federalization of up to 400 Texas Guard members for deployment to Illinois, Oregon and other locations; the Pentagon publicly confirmed the 200‑troop Texas mobilization.
- The State of Illinois and the city of Chicago filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block the deployment; U.S. District Judge April M. Perry set a hearing for Thursday (reported as noon ET) and has not immediately enjoined the deployment; an Oregon appeal is scheduled before Judge Karin J. Immergut Thursday at 9 a.m. PT.
- Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said they were not notified in advance and criticized the move as political; the White House and administration officials defended the action, President Trump escalated rhetoric about local leaders, and senior officials including FBI Director Kash Patel and others traveled to the field offices.
- Administration and DHS figures (including Tom Homan and public DHS statements) cited an alleged spike in attacks on ICE officers, recent violent incidents and arrests of dangerous individuals as justification for enhanced federal protection, while Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and local leaders said the deployment is not legally justified and amounts to political targeting.
- On‑the‑ground reporting and photos documented protests at the Elwood staging site and near the Broadview ICE facility with some arrests; reporters also noted parallel planning in other cities (including Memphis), where local commanders and officials said troops could be deputized by U.S. Marshals to play a supporting role.
đź“Š Analysis & Commentary (1)
SEN TAMMY DUCKWORTH: The National Guard swore an oath to the Constitution, not Donald Trump
"Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s op‑ed criticizes the federal staging of National Guard troops (as at Elwood) as a politicized, constitutionally improper and dangerous use of military forces against American cities, arguing it threatens civil liberties and is legally and operationally unjustified."
đź“° Sources (17)
Homan confirms Texas National Guard 'on the ground' in Illinois, warns anti-ICE rhetoric fueling 'bloodshed'
New information:
- Tom Homan confirms Texas National Guard troops in Illinois "started working" Tuesday night.
- Homan alleges a "1,000% increase" in attacks on ICE officers and links rhetoric from state/local officials to rising violence.
- DHS issues a public statement calling Gov. Pritzker’s claims "reckless" and "categorically false," asserting 1,000+ arrests in Illinois including convicted pedophiles, child abusers and gang members.
- Homan cites recent incidents in Texas, including an officer shot in the neck at a detention facility in Alvarado and the Dallas sniper attack that killed two detainees, to justify heightened protection.
A Chicago federal grand jury deals the latest setback to Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts.
New information:
- About 500 National Guard troops, including 200 from Texas, were expected to begin operations in the Chicago area on Wednesday; no visible street presence yet.
- Officials clarified Illinois Guard troops will not assume law-enforcement duties and will focus on protecting federal immigration officers and facilities.
- A federal court hearing on the Illinois deployment is set for Thursday at noon ET before Judge April M. Perry (a Biden appointee).
- President Trump escalated rhetoric on social media, saying Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson should be jailed for 'failing to protect ICE officers.'
National Guard troops are now outside Chicago and could be in Memphis soon
New information:
- AP reporters observed military personnel in Texas National Guard patches and staging infrastructure (portable toilets, trailers, extra fencing) at the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Elwood, Ill.
- The Federal Aviation Administration ordered flight restrictions over the Elwood Army Reserve Center through Dec. 6, 2025.
- Memphis officials — including a small group of police commanders — were already planning for Guard troop arrivals, and Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee indicated troops would be deputized by the U.S. Marshals Service to play a 'critical support role.'
- Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said about 400 troops from Texas could be part of the forces, and a court hearing on Illinois/Chicago's lawsuit to block the deployment was scheduled this week.
Here is the latest.
New information:
- Identifies the presiding judge in the Chicago litigation as Judge April M. Perry.
- Names Judge Karin J. Immergut as the judge handling the Oregon appeal and provides the scheduled hearing times (Illinois: Thursday 11 a.m. CT; Oregon: Thursday 9 a.m. PT).
- Reports that top officials visited the locations: FBI Director Kash Patel stopped at the Chicago field office; DHS Secretary Kristi Noem met with Oregon officials including Gov. Tina Kotek.
- Reiterates administration's operational framing that the roughly 500 troops will not perform general law‑enforcement but will protect federal immigration officers.
National Guard troops are outside Chicago and could be in Memphis soon in Trump's latest deployment
New information:
- FAA ordered flight restrictions over the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Elwood for security reasons until Dec. 6.
- On‑the‑ground observations: trucks labeled Emergency Disaster Services delivered portable toilets and supplies; trailers and extra perimeter fencing were deployed at the staging site.
- Memphis commanders were already in the city planning for Guard arrivals, and Police Chief Cerelyn Davis confirmed local planning.
- Governor Bill Lee said troops would be deputized by the U.S. Marshals Service to play a 'critical support role' for local law enforcement (role not yet precisely defined).
National Guard members from Texas are in Illinois in Trump's latest move to send troops to cities
New information:
- On‑the‑ground confirmation that Texas National Guard personnel—identifiable by Texas Guard patches—are staged at the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Elwood, Illinois.
- FAA imposed flight restrictions over the Army Reserve Center for security reasons through Dec. 6, 2025.
- Detailed staging activity observed: Emergency Disaster Services trucks delivering portable toilets and supplies, trailers set up in rows and extra perimeter fencing.
- Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he received no advance notice and reiterated his contention that the deployment was political; he had earlier predicted activation of roughly 400 Texas troops.
- The article notes a court hearing on Illinois/Chicago's lawsuit is scheduled this week and references parallel activity/planning in Memphis.
Texas National Guard arrives in Illinois, could begin assignments Wednesday
New information:
- On‑the‑ground confirmation that members of the Texas National Guard have begun arriving at the U.S. Army Reserve Training Center in Elwood (Joliet area), with trailers, temporary fencing and soldiers seen carrying gear.
- An operational timeline: sources told CBS roughly 200 Texas Guard members will deploy to Chicago this week and are expected to begin assignments protecting ICE as soon as Wednesday after an operational brief.
- Context that a federal court hearing on the lawsuit filed by Illinois and the city of Chicago to block the deployment is scheduled for Thursday; state and local officials say they were not notified in advance.
Photos: Texas National Guard troops arrive in Chicago area for Trump crackdown
New information:
- On Oct. 7, 2025 Texas National Guard members were photographed arriving at the Elwood Army Reserve Training Center in Elwood, Illinois.
- The article notes the administration's callup at about 300 National Guard members despite Illinois' lawsuit seeking to block the deployment.
- U.S. District Judge April Perry said she would not review Illinois' request to halt the deployment until Thursday morning, providing a concrete judicial timeline.
- Photos document protests at the training center and include a Pritzker X post opposing troops on Illinois soil.
Texas National Guard deploys 200 troops to Illinois for federal protection mission amid protests
New information:
- Pentagon confirmed the mobilization involved 200 Texas National Guard troops.
- The deployment was for an initial 60‑day period.
- Pentagon statement framed the mission as 'in support of the Federal Protection Mission to protect federal functions, personnel, and property.'
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced additional special‑operations personnel after federal agents were reportedly rammed and 'boxed in by 10 cars.'
- Reports of about a dozen arrests near the Broadview ICE facility and planned local protests (Coalition Against the Trump Agenda).
- Footage and on‑site reporting noted troops staged at the Army Reserve Training Center in Elwood; Gov. Greg Abbott publicly posted that service members were 'on the ground and ready to go.'
- Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson reiterated opposition and signed an executive order creating 'ICE‑free zones.'
News Wrap: Texas National Guard troops arrive at training center near Chicago
New information:
- Texas National Guard troops have arrived at an Army training center near Chicago.
- The arrival was reported on PBS NewsHour (segment aired Tuesday) as staging ahead of an expected deployment to the Chicago area.
Bondi clashes with Durbin on National Guard deployment: 'Love Chicago as much as you hate President Trump'
New information:
- Direct transcript/quotes from Attorney General Pam Bondi's exchange with Sen. Dick Durbin during a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing on Oct. 7, 2025 (including Bondi's 'I wish you loved Chicago as much as you hate President Trump' line).
- Bondi's statement that she refused to detail her communications with the White House about the deployment during the hearing.
- Reporting that FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X confirming he was 'Chicago bound' and that Bondi said Patel and deputy director Todd Blanche were en route to Chicago.
Trump considers invoking Insurrection Act to justify sending troops to Oregon
New information:
- CBS News reports President Trump said he would consider invoking the Insurrection Act to justify sending National Guard troops to Oregon.
- The comment was made on Monday and was attributed directly to President Trump in the CBS News segment.
Deploying troops to Chicago is not legally justified, says Illinois attorney general
New information:
- Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said deploying troops to Chicago is not legally justified and publicly characterized federal actions as political targeting.
- The State of Illinois filed a federal lawsuit on Monday (Oct. 6, 2025) challenging the Trump administration's attempted federalization/deployment of the Illinois National Guard; oral arguments are scheduled for Thursday (Oct. 9, 2025).
- A federal judge did not immediately block the administration from deploying troops while the suit proceeds, and the article notes the administration could deploy some troops from Texas and other states.
- Direct quotes and characterization from both sides: Raoul’s statements describing 'agitation' from ICE/Border Patrol and a White House statement from spokeswoman Abigail Jackson defending the administration’s authority to protect federal officers and assets.
Stephen Miller laughs off CNN's 'dumb question' about alleged racial profiling in ICE raids
New information:
- White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller gave a CNN interview in which he mocked the suggestion that ICE raids involved racial profiling, calling the question 'dumb.'
- Miller directly characterized protesters as 'terrorists' and repeated claims of violent acts (sniper presence, vehicle-ramming) at ICE facilities.
- The interview was with CNN host Boris Sanchez and occurred on Monday; Fox News reports it and says it reached out to CNN and the White House for comment.
Pritzker: Trump ordering Texas National Guard members to Illinois
New information:
- CBS reports it personally obtained a Pentagon memo calling for 'hundreds' of National Guard troops to be sent to Illinois (primary-document attribution)
- Direct quotes from Gov. J.B. Pritzker's X post are published, including his characterization of the move as 'Trump's Invasion' and that federal officials did not contact him directly to coordinate
- Article cites Associated Press reporting that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's memo indicates President Trump is federalizing up to 400 Texas Guard members for deployment to Oregon, Illinois and beyond
Pritzker: Trump ordering Texas National Guard members to Illinois
New information:
- CBS reports it obtained a Pentagon memo calling for 'hundreds' of National Guard troops to be sent to Illinois.
- Pritzker says 400 Texas National Guard members will be deployed to Illinois, Oregon and other locations and that he personally called Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott to refuse coordination.
- The article ties the deployment to recent clashes at the Broadview ICE processing center and a Brighton Park incident where a woman was shot by a federal agent; it notes uncertainty about when and where troops will arrive.
- Confirms at least 200 federalized California National Guard members were deployed to Oregon overnight into Sunday.