The Trump administration plans to federalize 300 members of the Illinois National Guard, according to a statement by Governor JB Pritzker on March 7, 2020. Pritzker described the situation as an ultimatum from the Department of War, indicating that he must either call up the troops himself or face federal intervention. He expressed strong opposition to this demand, framing it as an unwarranted federal overreach into state matters.
Pritzker’s statement followed a series of confrontations between federal agents and protesters at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Broadview, Illinois, where clashes resulted in at least five arrests. Those detained face various charges, including resisting arrest and aggravated battery against police officers. Tensions escalated significantly, particularly after Kristi Noem, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, and Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino were seen on the facility’s roof, accompanied by armed agents.
In a later development, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office deployed a line of officers to prevent demonstrators from obstructing traffic, marking a day of heightened protest activity. Pritzker noted that these events are symptomatic of broader issues regarding the use of military forces within state borders.
In his statement, Pritzker criticized the administration’s motives, highlighting that the planned federalization of National Guard members would disrupt the lives of “hardworking Americans” and serve as a “manufactured performance” rather than a genuine attempt to enhance public safety. He emphasized that efforts to bring in military personnel appear to be more about exerting control than addressing legitimate safety concerns.
The governor also recounted incidents from the previous day, where federal agents allegedly used chemical agents near an elementary school and arrested elected officials who were exercising their First Amendment rights. He argued that these actions were not aimed at justice but were instead focused on generating social media content.
Pritzker firmly stated that there is no need for military troops to be deployed in Illinois, asserting that local law enforcement agencies have been effectively coordinating to ensure public safety around the Broadview ICE facility. He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to protecting the rights of Illinois residents and upholding constitutional principles, vowing not to mobilize the National Guard for what he termed as “Trump’s acts of aggression.”
As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how the federal government will proceed and what impact this will have on the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in Illinois.
