Donald Trump administration seeking to federalize 300 Illinois National Guard members amid Chicago ICE raids: Gov. JB Pritzker
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — The Trump administration plans to federalize 300 Illinois National Guard members, according to a statement from Gov. JB Pritzker on Saturday.

Pritzker said the Department of War gave him an ultimatum, telling him to call up the troops himself.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

“This morning, the Trump Administration’s Department of War issued an ultimatum: call up your troops, or we will,” Pritzker said, in part. He stated that the administration aims to federalize hundreds of National Guard troops “in the coming hours.”

This comes after federal agents and protesters clashed at the west suburban Broadview Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility on Friday morning.

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office reported that at least five individuals were arrested in connection with those clashes. Charges include resisting, obstruction, and aggravated battery against a police officer.

This confrontation followed the appearance of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino, who were seen on the ICE facility’s roof just before 8 a.m. They were joined by several armed agents, cameras, and a production crew.

On Friday night, Cook County sheriff’s officers, equipped with helmets and batons, prevented demonstrators from blocking the street during a tense standoff, concluding a day of protests.

Previously, President Donald Trump had threatened to deploy the National Guard to Chicago to tackle crime, even suggesting earlier this week that the city could serve as a military training ground.

On Monday, Pritzker said he learned that DHS is requesting that 100 military personnel be sent to Illinois to protect ICE agents.

ABC7 has reached out to the Trump administration for comment but did not immediately hear back.

Full statement from Pritzker:
“This morning, the Trump Administration’s Department of War gave me an ultimatum: call up your troops, or we will. It is absolutely outrageous and un-American to demand a Governor send military troops within our own borders and against our will.

In the coming hours, the Trump Administration intends to federalize 300 members of the Illinois National Guard. They will pull hardworking Americans out of their regular jobs and away from their families all to participate in a manufactured performance — not a serious effort the protect public safety. For Donald Trump, this has never been about safety. This is about control.

This demand follows unprecedented escalations of aggression against Illinois citizens and residents. Yesterday, Kristi Noem’s and Greg Bovino’s masked agents threw chemical agents near an elementary school, arrested elected officials exercising their First Amendment rights, and raided a Wal-Mart. None of it was in pursuit of justice, but all of it was in pursuit of social media videos.

I want to be clear: there is no need for military troops on the ground in the State of Illinois. State, county, and local law enforcement have been working together and coordinating to ensure public safety around the Broadview ICE facility, and to protect people’s ability to peacefully exercise their connotational rights. I will not call up our National Guard to further Trump’s acts of aggression against our people.

In Illinois, we will do everything within our power to look out for our neighbors, uphold the Constitution, and defend the rule of law.”

Statement from Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton:
“Donald Trump intends to federalize 300 members of the Illinois National Guard and deploy them to Chicago without the consent of Governor Pritzker or our administration. These are Illinoisans who will be ripped away from their families to serve in Trump’s political stunt. We have warned that this has been their plan all along, and now it’s here.

Our city is not a sandbox for Donald Trump to play dictator. It’s intentional cruelty that will devastate families and scar our communities.

Let me be clear: the only emergency in Chicago is the chaos that Donald Trump and his administration are deliberately fueling in our streets. Journalists targeted and shot at, peaceful residents dragged from their homes, women and children zip-tied in the streets, families torn apart and stuffed into U-Hauls. This is unacceptable, reprehensible, and not what we stand for in Illinois.

“I have spent my career working to make communities safer and lead on public safety for our administration. Not a single violence-prevention expert I have worked with has ever said the answer is to flood our neighborhoods with federal troops. This move will only serve to spread fear, escalate conflict, and undermine the trust that keeps communities safe.

To the people of Illinois: know that Governor Pritzker and I will use every tool at our disposal to defend our city, protect our residents, and resist this reckless, authoritarian power grab.”

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Waymo issues voluntary recall after recorded issues in Texas; vehicles will remain on roads

Waymo Takes Proactive Step with Voluntary Recall in Texas Amidst Operational Challenges, Keeps Self-Driving Cars Active

In San Jose, California, Waymo has initiated a voluntary recall following incidents…
Lenient judges ignore red flags, cave to soft-on-crime pressures as they release repeat offenders: attorney

Attorney Criticizes Lenient Judges for Overlooking Red Flags and Releasing Repeat Offenders Amid Soft-on-Crime Pressures

The tragic death of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte, allegedly at the…
Trump's Warning Shot: No More Mr. Nice Guy After Dem Runs Back to His Party Despite ‘Life Saving’ Pardon

Trump’s Fiery Rebuttal: Unleashing Fury on Democrat’s Return After ‘Life-Saving’ Pardon

On Sunday, President Trump expressed his frustration on Truth Social, feeling profoundly…
Jalen Hurts has two turnovers on same play during Eagles-Chargers game

Jalen Hurts Commits Dual Turnovers on Single Play in Eagles-Chargers Matchup

In a challenging first half for Jalen Hurts during the Eagles’ Monday…
Hamas Chief Khaled Mashal Defies Trump Gaza Plan, No Disarmament

Hamas Leader Khaled Mashal Rejects Trump’s Gaza Proposal, Refuses to Disarm

In a bold declaration, Hamas leader Khaled Mashal insisted that “the resistance…
CDC warns Americans traveling to 4 countries over outbreak of untreatable mosquito disease

CDC Issues Travel Alert: Untreatable Mosquito-Borne Illness Detected in Four Countries

Amidst the ongoing outbreaks of a mosquito-borne illness that currently lacks a…
Mayor Adams administration settles court case over delayed NYC SNAP processing

NYC SNAP Processing Delays: Mayor Adams Administration Reaches Court Settlement

On Friday, Mayor Adams’ administration reached a court agreement mandating the city…
Man with 12 arrests this year busted again after allegedly attacking doctor in hospital elevator: report

Repeat Offender Faces New Charges After Alleged Assault on Doctor in Hospital Elevator, Report Indicates

In a disturbing incident that has reignited concerns about public safety, a…

Signal Malfunctions Cause Delays for F and M Line Transition Debut

On Monday morning, a malfunctioning switch motor on the subway tracks beneath…
Somalis Steal $1B in Biggest US Taxpayer Fraud

Massive $1 Billion Tax Fraud Uncovered, Involving Somali Network in the U.S.

White House officials blasted Somali refugees in Minnesota for pulling off the…
Florida mom says teens ‘lured’ 14-year-old daughter into woods before shooting, setting her on fire: report

Florida Mother Alleges Teens Entrapped 14-Year-Old Daughter Before Shooting and Setting Her Ablaze: Report

The grieving mother of Danika Troy, a teenager from Florida who was…
Wildlife officials track entangled right whale off Georgia coast as first calves of the season appear

Wildlife Teams Monitor Entangled Right Whale Near Georgia as New Calves Make Their Debut

A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission survey team recently encountered an…