Trump Administration Deploys National Guard to Chicago Amid Constitutional Controversy and Democratic Opposition

President Trump authorized the deployment of 300 National Guard troops to Chicago on Saturday evening, despite strong opposition from local Democratic leadership.

The Trump administration has characterized Chicago as a "war zone" to justify the military deployment. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noemm defended this characterization during a Fox News appearance on Sunday.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker strongly condemned the action during his CNN "State of the Union" interview, accusing Republicans of attempting to "create a war zone" to justify sending additional troops. "They need to get the heck out," Pritzker stated emphatically.

Public opinion remains divided on the issue, with a recent CBS poll indicating 42 percent support for National Guard deployments to cities, while 58 percent oppose such measures.

President Trump, who recently referenced using the military for a "war from within," has maintained his hardline position. House Speaker Mike Johnson supported the president's stance on NBC's "Meet the Press," describing Washington D.C. as a "literal war zone" requiring National Guard intervention.

The administration's military deployment strategy faced a significant setback in Portland, Oregon, where Judge Karin Immergut issued a temporary block on Saturday evening. In her ruling, Immergut emphasized that "This is a nation of Constitutional law, not martial law," finding that the president's determination was "simply untethered to the facts."

Despite Trump repeatedly describing Portland as "war-ravaged," the judge determined the administration failed to demonstrate that episodes of violence constituted an organized attempt to overthrow the government, which would be necessary to justify military force.

Presidential advisor Stephen Miller characterized the judge's order as "legal insurrection."

Concurrent with the military deployments, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is undergoing rapid expansion in both personnel and responsibilities. ICE operations in predominantly Democrat-led cities have involved masked, armed agents in unmarked vehicles targeting residential neighborhoods and businesses, provoking protests.

Tensions in Chicago escalated Saturday when a federal officer shot a motorist who the Department of Homeland Security claimed was armed and had rammed a patrol vehicle.

DHS officials have also reported that ICE officers shot and killed 38-year-old immigrant Silverio Villegas Gozalez during a September 12 traffic stop, alleging he attempted to flee and dragged an ICE officer with his vehicle.