Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker voiced strong condemnation regarding a recent clash between soldiers and civilians in the Chicago area following the Trump administration’s decision to send 100 troops to Prairie.
He explained that the Illinois State Guard had received a memo from the Department of Homeland Security, which had communicated the Pentagon’s directive for troops to be deployed in the state, citing a need for protection amid concerns over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel and their facilities.
“What I’m warning about is that this is happening now. One thing is clear: what Trump is doing isn’t making Illinois safer,” he stated during a press conference.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed to News Nation that the Department of Homeland Security had indeed requested assistance to safeguard federal personnel and property in Illinois. He noted that any decision regarding this request would follow an established protocol and be announced at an appropriate time.
Despite this confirmation, Pritzker reiterated his opposition to the deployment of federal troops, referencing multiple reports of agents allegedly acting aggressively towards unarmed citizens and journalists.
“Over the weekend, we received numerous confirmed reports from ICE and Customs and Border Patrol that federal agents misused their authority, threatened innocent civilians, and attacked our community,” he told reporters on Monday.
He expressed concern that these actions were purposefully aimed at causing confusion and unrest, potentially to justify a military presence in areas like Chicago, Broadview, and other suburbs. He also acknowledged a recent tragic incident involving a local citizen’s death in Franklin Park, criticizing ICE for trying to rationalize the shooting.
“The man is dead. The community is shaken, and we have more questions than answers,” he remarked.
Pritzker highlighted an incident involving a CBS Chicago reporter, who reportedly had chemical munitions fired at their car, which was not in the midst of a protest, as indicated by a report.
“Donald Trump, Kristi Noem, and Tom Homan claimed they were targeting the worst of the worst criminals. They’ve been dishonest. Over 60% of the individuals recorded in Illinois this year have no criminal record whatsoever,” Pritzker stated. “It seems like we’re being targeted simply for not fitting a certain profile. Just a year ago, many of these practices were illegal in the U.S. Now, it feels like common practice. This isn’t what makes America great.”
Illinois is among several states facing military deployments. California was the first to receive units under the Trump administration’s law enforcement measures in the summer, with troops later sent to Washington, D.C., as part of crime reduction efforts.
The president has also confirmed that the National Guard will soon be deployed in Memphis, Tennessee, and Portland, despite some local leaders’ objections.
