United States President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of 300 National Guard troops to Chicago to control growing unrest, despite opposition from local and state leaders.
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson confirmed the decision on Saturday, saying, “President Trump has authorised 300 national guardsmen to protect federal officers and assets. President Trump will not turn a blind eye to the lawlessness plaguing American cities.”
The move comes after weeks of political tension between the Trump administration and Democratic leaders who accuse the president of using force to intimidate critics.
Illinois Senator Dick Durbin condemned the deployment, calling it “a shameful chapter in our nation’s history.”
He added, “The President is not intent on fighting crime. He is intent on spreading fear.”
Related Stories:
- Sanae Takaichi Becomes Japan’s First Female Prime Minister
- Jonathan May Join ADC Ahead of 2027 Elections
Chicago joins other cities like Portland, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., where federal forces have been deployed under Trump’s anti-crime and immigration crackdown, known as Operation Midway Blitz.
The deployments have sparked nationwide protests, with reports of masked federal agents using unmarked vehicles to detain people in residential areas.
Meanwhile, a federal court has pushed back on the administration’s claims of widespread rebellion. In a ruling, US District Judge Karin Immergut wrote that Trump’s justification for deploying troops in Portland was “untethered to the facts.” She noted that protests in the city did not amount to a rebellion and could be handled by local law enforcement.
Oregon Senator Ron Wyden praised the court’s ruling, saying, “This victory supports what Oregonians already know: we don’t need or want Donald Trump to provoke violence by deploying federal troops in our state.”
However, the White House defended its actions. Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller described the court ruling as “legal insurrection,” accusing local leaders in Oregon of conducting an “organised terrorist attack on the federal government.”
Tensions rose further on Saturday when a federal officer shot a motorist in Chicago. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the officer fired after agents were “boxed in” by several cars.
DHS official Tricia McLaughlin stated, “Law enforcement was forced to deploy their weapons and fire defensive shots at an armed US citizen.”
The victim, a woman, was taken to a hospital and is reportedly in stable condition. Chicago police said they were not involved in the shooting but confirmed federal authorities are handling the investigation.
Protesters later gathered near the scene, chanting “ICE go home!” before being dispersed with tear gas and pepper balls.
The unrest marks another flashpoint in Trump’s aggressive law-and-order campaign as the 2027 election season draws near, deepening divisions between the White House and Democratic-controlled cities.