Daijiworld Media Network - Chicago

Chicago, Oct 5: Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker announced that despite his firm refusals to request federal intervention, the Trump administration is set to federalize 300 National Guardsmen and deploy them to Chicago. The governor revealed that the White House issued an ultimatum: either Illinois calls up its own troops, or the federal government will do it instead.

This move comes amid ongoing violent protests and clashes in the Chicago area, where immigration enforcement agents have confronted demonstrators. On Saturday, law enforcement reportedly shot an armed individual who was reportedly on Homeland Security’s watchlist, intensifying the already volatile situation. Meanwhile, armed border patrol officers used chemical irritants against protesters, according to reports.

The White House justified the deployment as necessary to protect federal officers and property after local leaders, including Pritzker, declined to act. This latest federal intervention follows President Trump’s repeated threats to send National Guard troops into several Democratic-led cities to address crime and immigration enforcement concerns. Earlier this year, the National Guard was deployed to Washington, DC, under similar circumstances.

Adding to the tension, the Trump administration recently froze $2.1 billion in Chicago infrastructure funding amid allegations of race-based contracting practices. White House budget director Russell Vought explained that the funds would remain on hold pending administrative reviews. Similar actions have targeted other Democrat-led areas: New York City’s Department of Transportation projects faced an $18 billion freeze, and nearly $8 billion in Department of Energy funding for climate and other programs were canceled, predominantly affecting states governed by Democrats.

These moves underscore the escalating conflict between the federal government and local Democratic leaders, as political and social unrest continues to unfold across several major cities.