What’s happening:
Some active-duty and veteran U.S. service members in Illinois are publicly opposing former President Donald Trump’s proposal to send the National Guard to Chicago.
Why it matters:
Trump has pointed to the recent presence of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C.—where they were seen taking photos with tourists and picking up trash—as a reason for the drop in crime there. He claims similar results could be achieved in Chicago. However, unlike D.C., Illinois’ National Guard operates under the governor’s command, not the president’s.
Recent developments:
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Trump told reporters Tuesday that deploying the National Guard to Chicago is a matter of when, not if.
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That same day, a federal judge ruled that his previous use of federal troops for law enforcement in Los Angeles violated the Posse Comitatus Act.
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In response, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker warned that the Trump administration has already begun “positioning armed federal agents and staging military vehicles” at locations like the Great Lakes Naval base.
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He also suggested the Texas National Guard might be preparing for deployment in Illinois.
But:
According to Illinois National Guard spokesman William Grove, “No units have been activated and we do not have an order or preparatory command for any mission.”
Opposition on the ground:
Veterans and current service members gathered last week for a press conference organized by Illinois Veterans for Change and Common Defense, two progressive veteran-led groups, to voice their objections.
“The National Guard has a sacred mission. We are part of the communities we serve,” said Guard member Demi Palecek.
U.S. Army Judge Advocate Dan Tully added, “It is patently illegal and un-American to have them patrolling U.S. streets for a manufactured publicity stunt,” calling it a “reckless misuse of taxpayer dollars.”
Public reaction:
The deployment of National Guard troops in D.C. has drawn mixed reactions. Some residents labeled the soldiers “Trump’s goons,” while others defended them, saying they were unfairly targeted by hecklers.
Support for deployment:
On the other side, Trump supporters, including Republican Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison, support the idea. They cite recent gun violence in Chicago as justification for federal intervention.