President Donald Trump has authorized the deployment of 400 Texas National Guard troops to Chicago and other cities to support federal ICE operations under Operation Midway Blitz, following violent protests that included a shooting of a protester during an alleged ambush on agents and the arrest of a gang member for threatening Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson responded by creating ICE-free zones on city property to shield immigrants: “Today we are signing an executive order aimed at reigning in this out of control administration, the order establishes ICE FREE zones, that means that city property and unwilling private businesses would no longer serve as staging ground for this race” he declared
Johnson statement drew criticism from federal officials like Secretary Kristi Noem, who accused the mayor and Illinois governor of wanting to protect illegal criminals, her post on X read: “Brandon Johnson and JB Pritzker are doing everything in their power to shelter and protect criminal illegal alien gangbangers, murderers, and violent anarchists.
“Chicago’s Mayor just reaffirmed his allegiance to criminal illegal aliens with his pathetic “ICE free zones” declaration. Fortunately for the innocent citizens of Chicago—the Trump administration doesn’t protect criminals—we arrest them.”
while Illinois Governor JB Pritzker sued to block the Guard’s arrival: “It’s illegal to call up the National Guard or to send troops into American cities. Donald Trump has gone way beyond the Constitution. It’s clear there is something wrong in the way he views the United States. He is violating the rights of American citizens
“Illinois will not let the Trump Administration continue on their authoritarian march without resisting. We will use every lever at our disposal to stop this power grab because military troops should not be used against American communities.”
Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act if local resistance persists, as tensions escalate with arrests and nationwide demonstrations.
