White House authorizes deployment of National Guard to Illinois

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said the Trump administration plans to federalize 300 members of the Illinois National Guard and deploy them within his state.

The Trump administration is sending 300 National Guard troops to Illinois, the latest example of the federal government sending guardsmen to blue cities.

“Amidst ongoing violent riots and lawlessness, that local leaders like [Illinois Gov. JB] Pritzker have refused to step in to quell, President Trump has authorized 300 national guardsmen to protect federal officers and assets," White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said in a statement.

Pritzker on Saturday said he was informed by the Trump administration that the Defense Department plans to federalize 300 National Guardsmen and deploy them within his state.

“It is absolutely outrageous and un-American to demand a Governor send military troops within our own borders and against our will,” Pritzker said in a statement, adding that he was given an ultimatum by Defense Department officials to “call up your troops, or we will.”

“I want to be clear: there is no need for military troops on the ground in the State of Illinois,” Pritzker added. “I will not call up our National Guard to further Trump’s acts of aggression against our people.”