Trump administration deploys National Guard to Chicago despite local opposition
EL.KZ Информационно-познавательный портал
The Trump administration has escalated its domestic military deployment strategy, authorizing 300 National Guard soldiers for Chicago while facing legal challenges in Portland, Oregon. The moves have sparked a constitutional crisis between federal and state authorities, El.kz cites novanews.co.za.
President Donald Trump late Saturday authorized the deployment of 300 National Guard soldiers to Chicago, America’s third-largest city, despite fierce opposition from Democratic Mayor and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the controversial move Sunday morning, telling Fox News that Chicago has become “a war zone” requiring federal intervention.
The deployment marks the latest escalation in Trump’s nationwide crackdown targeting Democratic-controlled cities, which he claims are failing to maintain law and order.
Governor Pritzker strongly condemned the federal action during an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union,” accusing Republicans of deliberately creating chaos.
“They want to create mayhem on the ground. They want to create the war zone, so that they can send in even more troops,” Pritzker said.
In a formal statement, the Illinois governor characterised the deployment as “Trump’s invasion,” arguing there is “no reason” to send troops into any state without the “knowledge, consent, or cooperation” of local officials.
A CBS poll released on Sunday revealed that 58 percent of Americans oppose deploying the National Guard to cities, highlighting the controversial nature of Trump’s strategy.
The president, who last Tuesday spoke of using the military for a “war from within,” shows no indication of moderating his approach.
Trump’s military deployment strategy hit a significant legal obstacle Saturday when US District Judge Karin Immergut issued a temporary restraining order blocking troop deployment to Portland, Oregon.
Judge Immergut ruled that “the president’s determination was simply untethered to the facts,” emphasising that “this is a nation of Constitutional law, not martial law.”
The court found that while Portland has experienced “scattered attacks on federal officers and property,” the Trump administration failed to demonstrate these incidents constituted “an organized attempt to overthrow the government” justifying military intervention.
Despite legal setbacks, Trump allies have intensified their rhetoric. House Speaker Mike Johnson told NBC that National Guard troops in Washington responded to a “literal war zone,” a characterisation disputed by observers.
Stephen Miller, a key Trump advisor, condemned the Portland court ruling as “legal insurrection.”
On Sunday, Trump falsely claimed that “Portland is burning to the ground. It’s insurrectionists all over the place.”
The crackdown is being spearheaded by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which is undergoing rapid expansion in both personnel and duties.
ICE raids across the country—primarily targeting Democratic-controlled cities—have featured masked, armed agents in unmarked vehicles conducting operations in residential neighborhoods and business districts, sparking widespread protests.
The tensions turned deadly Saturday when a federal officer shot a motorist in Chicago. The Department of Homeland Security said the individual was armed and had rammed a patrol vehicle.
This incident follows the September 12 shooting death of 38-year-old immigrant Silverio Villegas Gonzalez during a traffic stop, with DHS officials claiming he attempted to flee while dragging an ICE officer.
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced his state was suing to prevent National Guard deployments, celebrating Sunday when a federal judge blocked the mobilisation of out-of-state troops.
“A federal judge BLOCKED Donald Trump’s unlawful attempt to DEPLOY 300 OF OUR NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS TO PORTLAND,” Newsom announced, deliberately adopting Trump’s characteristic all-capitals style.
Oregon Attorney General also confirmed the court order blocking interstate Guard deployments.
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