By TX3DNews Staff
Governor Greg Abbott has authorized the deployment of Texas National Guard troops to Chicago at the request of President Donald Trump, citing the need to protect federal property and personnel amid ongoing demonstrations. The move has drawn swift legal and political backlash from Illinois officials, who call the order unconstitutional and “an invasion” of state sovereignty.
Texas Deployment Order
Abbott’s office confirmed late Monday that up to 400 Guard members were being prepared for duty in Illinois under federal coordination. The governor described the action as “a lawful support mission consistent with Texas’s duty to uphold law and order.”
According to reporting by The Texas Tribune and The Dallas Morning News, the deployment followed discussions between Trump’s campaign team and federal homeland security officials seeking additional manpower to secure federal facilities in Chicago and other cities.
Abbott has not specified which units will be mobilized or how long they will remain on standby. On Monday evening, he appeared to confirm that the operation was underway, posting on his official X account:
“The elite Texas National Guard. Ever ready. Deploying now.” — Gov. Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX)
The post included a photo of uniformed Guard members boarding a military transport plane, appearing to show troops preparing for departure. As of press time, no formal deployment orders had been released publicly, though Guard units across the state were believed to be on heightened readiness status.
Illinois Governor’s Response
Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker denounced Abbott’s decision, saying he was neither consulted nor informed beforehand. In an official statement issued through the Illinois Governor’s Newsroom, Pritzker said:
“A President should not send military troops into a sovereign state without their knowledge, consent, or cooperation. This so-called deployment is not coordination — it’s an invasion.”
Speaking later at a Chicago press conference, Pritzker urged Abbott to “stay the hell out of Illinois’ business,” accusing him of politicizing the Guard’s mission. Illinois has now filed suit in federal court seeking an injunction to block the deployment. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said the lawsuit argues that Abbott’s order violates both the U.S. and Illinois Constitutions by introducing armed personnel without state consent.
Related Federal Court Action in Oregon
The Illinois case follows a separate legal challenge in Oregon, where a federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deploying Texas and California National Guard units to Portland, without the governor’s approval.
In her ruling, U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut wrote that the use of the military to quell unrest without Oregon’s consent risked the sovereignty of that state and others, and inflamed tensions in the city of Portland. That Oregon ruling, while not binding in Illinois, could influence how federal courts interpret the limits of a governor’s authority to deploy troops across state lines.
Keith Self Comments
U.S. Rep. Keith Self (R-McKinney), whose district includes much of Collin County, weighed in on the dispute Monday night in a post on X (formerly Twitter):
“Someone should inform Chicago’s entry into the Democrat clown show that in seven months, @POTUS averted war in seven conflicts across the globe, and he may be on the verge of achieving peace in the Middle East.
As for another Civil War, Mayor Johnson should tread lightly; his reckless words are teetering on the cusp of insurrection.”
Self’s remarks followed Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s warning that Abbott’s deployment was “reckless” and risked escalating tensions. The exchange added another layer to an already widening conflict between Republican state leaders and Democratic city officials.
Evan Hunt Response
Democratic congressional candidate Evan Hunt (TX-03) said in an email to TX3DNews Monday evening that he disagreed with both former President Trump’s deployment actions and Rep. Keith Self’s remarks.
“Trump is dismantling the world order that’s kept America strong since World War II — from reckless trade wars, to appeasing Putin, to alienating our closest allies.
Now he’s turning that same destructive energy inward, trying to cling to power through fear and division instead of ideas and leadership. Nothing is more un-American than using armed federal forces on domestic soil against other citizens who are using their constitutional rights.
And now henchmen like Keith Self are tossing around talk of ‘civil war’ and ‘insurrection’ like it’s a campaign slogan. That’s not patriotism — it’s reckless, and it’s tearing at the very fabric of the country they claim to love.”
Next Steps
A federal court in Illinois is expected to hold an emergency hearing later this week on the state’s injunction request. The Texas Military Department said Guard members remain on standby status until the court rules.
Residents seeking information about local Guard activation can contact the Texas Military Department Public Affairs Office, or visit tmd.texas.gov. The Illinois complaint and related rulings are expected to be available through PACER once filed.
TX3DNews has reached out to Governor Abbott’s press office for additional details and clarification on the legal basis and operational scope of his deployment order. This report will be updated as more information becomes available. For continuing coverage please visit our local news page.