National Guard Deployment Draws Criticism

One of the most significant moments in my life was when I first strapped on my boots, donned my uniform, and took the oath to uphold the Constitution as a member of the Illinois Army National Guard.

I valued every day I could wake up and identify as an American soldier. Because I hold our military in such high regard, I can’t sit back and watch a person who has dodged the draft multiple times misuse it for his own gain and, frankly, harm our country.

Recently, at Quantico, President Trump—who has suggested renaming the Pentagon “Department of the Army”—informed military leaders of his intent to turn American cities into “training grounds” for the military.

It’s essential to grasp this: the commander-in-chief aims to use members of the military to “train” the very citizens they are sworn to protect. Last month, Trump declared that Chicago would “discover why it’s known as the Department of War,” and just this week, he followed through by deploying hundreds of National Guard troops into the city.

For months, Trump has drawn attention to supposed disorder and crime in urban America, falsely claiming a necessity for military presence in cities where local leaders oppose it. First Los Angeles, then Washington, D.C., and now Portland are in his sights. However, a federal judge, appointed by Trump himself, blocked his attempts to send troops to these areas, stating that his justifications for military deployment are “not connected to the facts.”

This indicates that there’s a lack of honesty in his statements.

In just the last week, Chicago has witnessed Trump’s operatives detaining innocent individuals, denying them legal assistance, handcuffing children, apprehending elected officials, raiding homes, and injuring journalists. Recently, two people were shot, one of whom died, leaving behind young children, all while dubious claims were made regarding the use of deadly force.

Trump seems to be targeting cities that resist his agenda, cities that dare to call him out for what he is: a leader lacking genuine authority, courage, and ethics.

If left unchecked, this behavior threatens not just blue cities but could pave the way for any future leader to apply similar tactics anywhere for fabricated reasons.

It’s vital to emphasize: dispatching our military to intimidate the very citizens they are meant to safeguard does nothing to enhance national security. The National Guard is not meant to act as a police force within American communities, nor are they trained for such roles in urban settings. These deployments represent a troubling trend toward authoritarianism, further jeopardizing civil liberties and distracting the military from its primary duty to defend against real threats.

We know Trump’s actions don’t genuinely center around “law and order.” His purported emphasis on these ideals frequently ignores collaborative efforts with local and state authorities. Meanwhile, he avoids putting active-duty military personnel on the ground, instead relegating them to menial tasks, while freezing or cutting federal funds intended for training and equipping law enforcement.

But, all of this comes at a cost—millions of taxpayer dollars wasted on intimidating peaceful citizens and legal residents who are merely exercising their First Amendment rights. Moreover, vital federal resources are diverted away from serious issues like drug trafficking, gun violence, and cyber threats.

As I drove to work today, I spotted National Guard members mobilized on the street. It was disheartening. These individuals took their oaths to protect the American populace, not to assist someone who has continuously avoided military service and personal accountability.

They pledged to uphold Americans’ rights to free speech, not to intimidate those who wish to express dissent. Their willingness to serve and perhaps even die is to defend the country, not bolster a single person’s ego.

Cities like Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Portland, and Chicago have not asked for military presence. Our service members deserve better. Out of deep respect for the military, I refuse to remain silent as their commitment is disrespected by those who have never had the resolve to serve.

I won’t allow anyone to continue undermining the military. Such actions distance service members from their families and missions and erode the trust that took generations to build.

Though I may no longer wear my uniform, I proudly display it in my Senate office. I spend my days beneath the grand Capitol dome, no longer in the cockpit of a Black Hawk, but my key mission remains unchanged: ensuring America is strong and safe.

I wish that President Trump would prioritize the same values.