Gov. JB Pritzker condemned President Donald Trump’s decision to federalize 300 Illinois National Guard troops, calling the move “outrageous and un-American.” Pritzker stated the Trump Administration issued an ultimatum: deploy the Guard or risk federal action. He alleged the plan would force soldiers “out of their regular jobs and away from their families” for a “manufactured performance” rather than genuine public safety efforts.

Trump has repeatedly threatened to send National Guard members to Chicago to address rising crime, citing violent incidents such as 11 murders and 28 shootings over recent weekends. He criticized Pritzker for downplaying the crisis, insisting military intervention was necessary. However, Pritzker rejected the proposal, claiming state and local law enforcement were sufficient to protect constitutional rights and manage safety at the Broadview ICE facility.

Pritzker also accused federal agents of using “chemical agents” near an elementary school and raiding a Walmart without lawful cause, alleging their actions targeted social media visibility rather than justice. He vowed not to deploy the National Guard to support what he called Trump’s “acts of aggression.” The White House has yet to comment on its plans for Illinois.