Pritzker claims Trump declared war on Chicago by deploying National Guard

CHICAGO, Ill. (WTVO) — On Monday, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said President Donald Trump has “decided to declare war” on Chicago, repeatedly characterizing the mobilization of National Guard troops to support federal law enforcement agents as an “invasion.”

The Trump administration has called up 300 members of the Illinois National Guard after growing violent protests between activists and U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement officers near a federal facility in Broadview and on Chicago streets.

At a press conference on Monday, Pritzker said, “This escalation of violence is targeted and intentional and premeditated. The Trump administration is following a playbook: cause chaos, create fear and confusion, and make it seem like peaceful protesters are a mob by firing gas pellets and tear gas canisters at them.”

Over the weekend, Border Patrol agents shot a woman after a group of 10 vehicles reportedly tried to box them in near a facility in Brighton Park. The agents exited their vehicle, and one suspect attempted to run them over, prompting the agents to fire defensively, the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement.

“These attacks on our brave law enforcement officers must END,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Secretary [Kristi] Noem has taken action to deploy additional resources to restore law and order. We will not allow domestic terrorists to attack our law enforcement. If you lay a hand on law enforcement, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” 

DHS also claimed that Chicago Police were called to assist federal agents, but refused.

On Monday, Chicago Police Superintendent acknowledged that there may have been a “miscommunication,” but denied that officers were told to stand down, emphasizing that his department would support other law enforcement officers if requested. He also warned residents and protesters against targeting federal law enforcement agents. “I get that there are a lot of emotions out there, but that does not mean you get to commit a crime,” he said.

Additionally, Pritzker said the Department of War has ordered 400 members of the Texas National Guard to deploy to Illinois. Pritzker called on Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to refuse the order.

In response, Abbott posted on X saying, “I fully authorized the President to call up 400 members of the Texas National Guard to ensure safety for federal officials. You can either fully enforce protection for federal employees or get out of the way and let Texas Guard do it.”

Rep. John Cabello (R-Machesney Park) condemned Pritzker’s refusal to cooperate with federal efforts to mobilize the Illinois National Guard, calling it “another example of the Governor’s radical, soft-on-crime, open-border agenda that puts politics ahead of public safety.”

“While violent crime continues to plague our cities and illegal crossings at the border are surging, Pritzker and his Democrat allies have tied the hands of police, weakened accountability, and opened the door to complete chaos,” Cabello said. “Now he’s refusing to cooperate with the National Guard when our country needs unity and strength. That’s unacceptable.”

“Governor Pritzker’s soft-on-crime policies and open-border rhetoric have failed Illinois,” Cabello added. “It’s time he stops siding with radical activists and starts siding with the men and women who protect our streets, our borders, and our freedoms.”

On Monday, Pritzker said, “[President Trump] has clearly decided to declare war on a great American city…and he’s done it for some unspoken reason.”

“They’re harassing and detaining people based only on the color of their skin,” Pritzker said. “Tamale vendors, delivery people, people looking for work at Home Depot, and even families just out and about enjoying themselves on a sunny day.”

According to DHS, “Operation Midway Blitz” was launched in honor of Katie Abraham, who was killed in a drunk driving crash by Julio Cucul-Bol, who was in the country illegally, and specifically targets criminals who flocked to Chicago and Illinois seeking protection from deportation by the sanctuary policies.

Illinois effectively banned immigration detention in 2021, when it ended local cooperation agreements between the federal government and county jails. Illinois barred private detention in 2019 following failed attempts to build a new detention facility and there are no federal immigration detention centers in the state.

According to DHS, over 800 criminal illegal aliens have been arrested despite both the state’s sanctuary policies and violent protests.