From Fox News: Texas National Guard troops arrived in Illinois on Tuesday to protect federal personnel and property amid anti-immigration protests, the Pentagon confirmed.
A Pentagon official said 200 guardsmen were mobilized for an initial 60-day period.
Troops arrived in Illinois “in support of the Federal Protection Mission to protect federal functions, personnel, and property,” according to a Pentagon statement.
On Sunday, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a Democrat, had fumed, “This evening, President Trump is ordering 400 members of the Texas National Guard for deployments to Illinois, Oregon, and other locations within the United States. No officials from the federal government called me directly to discuss or coordinate.”
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, replied, “I fully authorized the President to call up 400 members of the Texas National Guard to ensure safety for federal officials. You can either fully enforce protection for federal employees or get out of the way and let Texas Guard do it. No Guard can match the training, skill, and expertise of the Texas National Guard. They defend our country with pride. America must also know that Texas still has thousands of National Guard assisting with the Border security.”
I fully authorized the President to call up 400 members of the Texas National Guard to ensure safety for federal officials.
You can either fully enforce protection for federal employees or get out of the way and let Texas Guard do it.
No Guard can match the training, skill, and… https://t.co/7SUk9XlMBn
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) October 6, 2025
Abbott posted a photo on Monday of the Texas National Guard headed toward Chicago.
The elite Texas National Guard.
Ever ready.
Deploying now. pic.twitter.com/7lXe7Wpmue
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) October 7, 2025
On Monday, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an “executive order” declaring “ICE-free zones” in Chicago, banning federal agents from city-owned properties.
On Tuesday, Johnson declared Chicago Police should arrest ICE agents and other federal officers in Chicago.
“It’s a crime. Here’s the thing, anyone who commits a crime should be charged,” Johnson reportedly declared, adding, “I mean, isn’t that the basic rule of what they ostensibly refer to as ‘law and order?’”
Members of the Texas National Guard have arrived in Illinois, according to sources familiar with their whereabouts and video taken of them at an Army Reserve training facility in a Chicago suburb.
Read more: https://t.co/AkmU3diD97 pic.twitter.com/chTjQ1TrFY
— ABC News (@ABC) October 7, 2025
Rep. Mary Miller (R-Ill.) wrote, “Americans across Illinois are grateful for the brave men and women of the National Guard in Chicago. Please join me in praying for their protection and our federal agents as they defend our communities and uphold the rule of law. God bless our heroes! 🇺🇸.”
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— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 7, 2025
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