Texas National Guard troops have arrived in Illinois, stationed at a military facility near Chicago, as part of the Trump administration’s plan to deploy military personnel to U.S. cities, sparking legal challenges and strong opposition from state and local leaders who condemn it as an unconstitutional overreach.
On October 7, 2025, members of the Texas National Guard were observed at the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Elwood, Illinois, approximately 50 miles southwest of Chicago. Video footage and sources confirmed their presence, with troops boarding a military plane from Texas the previous day. Texas Governor Greg Abbott shared images of the deployment, authorizing up to 400 guardsmen to support federal operations, though the exact mission details remain unclear. The arrival marks the latest in a series of federal moves to send troops to urban areas, raising concerns about the militarization of domestic affairs.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson have vehemently opposed the deployment, labeling it an “authoritarian march” and a political stunt. Pritzker accused the Trump administration of using service members as “political props” to create fear and justify potential invocation of the Insurrection Act. Johnson emphasized that no crime emergency exists in Chicago, citing a 28% drop in homicides and a 35% decrease in shootings this year compared to 2024. Both leaders argue that the deployment is unnecessary and could exacerbate tensions rather than improve safety.
In response, the state of Illinois and the city of Chicago filed a lawsuit on Monday seeking to block the federalization and deployment of the National Guard. The legal challenge argues that the move violates foundational principles separating the military from domestic affairs and constitutes an illegal power grab. This lawsuit mirrors previous efforts in other cities like Portland, where similar deployments were contested in court, highlighting a pattern of federal-state conflicts over jurisdiction and authority.
The deployment follows heightened federal actions in Chicago, including a recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid that involved Black Hawk helicopters and over 100 agents in tactical gear. Pritzker highlighted this raid, suggesting it was staged for social media to amplify fear and justify military intervention. Attorney General Pam Bondi defended the National Guard’s role in protecting federal buildings but faced skepticism from lawmakers like Senator Thom Tillis, who questioned whether it masks underlying local failures in crime prevention.
Political tensions have escalated, with President Trump stating he would consider invoking the Insurrection Act if necessary, though he has not done so yet. Governor Abbott’s support underscores the partisan divide, while local officials insist the deployment is dangerous and unwarranted. The situation reflects broader debates over federal authority and states’ rights, with implications for civil-military relations and the balance of power in the U.S. government.
As the legal battle unfolds, the Texas National Guard remains at the Elwood facility, with no immediate plans for street deployments. Community leaders and activists in Chicago have organized protests, fearing that militarization could inflame tensions and undermine civil liberties. The outcome of the lawsuit and any potential court injunctions will likely determine the next steps, including whether troops are withdrawn or further integrated into local operations.
This incident is part of a larger strategy by the Trump administration to assert federal power in urban areas, drawing comparisons to past actions in Portland and other cities. Experts warn that such deployments could set precedents for future presidential use of military force domestically, raising constitutional questions about the role of the armed forces in civilian life and the limits of executive authority in addressing local issues.
