Amid violent attacks on Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities in cities across the country, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has authorized the deployment of hundreds of Texas National Guard troops to help restore order.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker revealed the move Sunday night, writing on X that President Donald Trump had ordered 400 members of the Texas National Guard to be sent to Illinois, Oregon, and other states. Pritzker blasted the deployment as an “invasion,” accusing the president of bypassing state officials.
“This evening, President Trump is ordering 400 members of the Texas National Guard for deployments to Illinois, Oregon, and other locations within the United States. No officials from the federal government called me directly to discuss or coordinate,” Pritzker posted.
“We must now start calling this what it is: Trump’s Invasion. It started with federal agents, it will soon include deploying federalized members of the Illinois National Guard against our wishes, and it will now involve sending in another state’s military troops.”
Pritzker called on Abbott to “immediately withdraw any support” and refuse to cooperate with the order.
Abbott responded, confirming his approval of the deployment and defending the mission.
“I fully authorized the President to call up 400 members of the Texas National Guard to ensure safety for federal officials,” Abbott wrote.
“You can either fully enforce protection for federal employees or get out of the way and let [the] Texas Guard do it. No Guard can match the training, skill, and expertise of the Texas National Guard. They defend our country with pride.”
Each state’s National Guard serves under dual authority.
In normal circumstances, Guard units operate under the governor’s command for state emergencies such as natural disasters or border missions. But under federal law, the President can “federalize” the Guard, placing them under the U.S. Department of Defense and national command. Once federalized, they act as federal troops.
A federal judge has temporarily blocked the deployment of state National Guard units to Oregon while the court reviews the legality of the federal order. Illinois and the City of Chicago have filed a similar lawsuit seeking to halt the deployment there as well.
Abbott says the Texas troops will remain committed to protecting federal personnel and property, while continuing their ongoing role along the southern border.
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