IL Freedom Caucus calls on Pritzker to let Trump deploy National Guard

ILLINOIS (WCIA) — In recent weeks all eyes have been on Chicago. Governor Pritzker and Chicago’s Mayor Brandon Johnson have made it clear, they don’t want troops or federal agents in the city.

But some Illinois Republicans are singing a different tune.

“Brandon Johnson, JB Pritzker and the liberal media and other pro crime advocates have tried to make this conversation about everything but the truth. The truth is pretty doggone simple. People are unsafe, and apparently the Democrats are totally fine with that,” Chris Miller with the Illinois Freedom Caucus said.

Miller and his fellow Freedom Caucus members are the latest in-state officials to call on Pritzker to take Trump up on his offer of assistance.

They argue that whether it is for immigration or high crime, Chicago needs help that Pritzker can’t provide.

“It’s time for them to put their egos aside and lay aside their little petty politics and roll up their sleeves and get this problem fixed,” Miller said.

 For the Freedom Caucus, that means bringing in the National Guard.

“We need to make substantive change and to put Americans on American street corners so that mothers can send their kids to the grocery store and they can come home with a gallon of milk unscathed,” State Representative and Freedom Caucus member Martin McLaughlin said.

Tuesday afternoon Pritzker acknowledged that federal agents have already begun staging for their operation. He said he believes it will look similar to what was seen in Los Angeles this summer and that agents will be targeting community events.

“It breaks my heart to report that we have been told ICE will try and disrupt community picnics and peaceful parades. Let’s be clear. The terror and cruelty is the point,” Pritzker said.

Pritzker told a crowd in Chicago on Tuesday that he has received information that the Texas National Guard is also preparing to head to Illinois.

Protests in Los Angeles against ICE operations led to the National Guard being deployed.

Pritzker and Johnson don’t want to see that happen in Illinois and urged any protests to stay non-violent.

 “I am imploring everyone if and when that happens, do not take the bait,” said Pritzker.