This morning, the Trump Administration’s Department of War gave me an ultimatum: call up your troops, or we will. It is absolutely outrageous and un-American to demand a Governor send military troops within our own borders and against our will.
In the coming hours, the Trump Administration intends to federalize 300 members of the Illinois National Guard.
They will pull hardworking Americans out of their regular jobs and away from their families all to participate in a manufactured performance -- not a serious effort the protect public safety. For Donald Trump, this has never been about safety. This is about control.
This demand follows unprecedented escalations of aggression against Illinois citizens and residents.
Yesterday, Kristi Noem’s and Greg Bovino’s masked agents threw chemical agents near an elementary school, arrested elected officials exercising their First Amendment rights, and raided a Wal-Mart.
None of it was in pursuit of justice, but all of it was in pursuit of social media videos.
I want to be clear: there is no need for military troops on the ground in the State of Illinois.
State, county, and local law enforcement have been working together and coordinating to ensure public safety around the Broadview ICE facility, and to protect people’s ability to peacefully exercise their constitutional rights.
I will not call up our National Guard to further Trump’s acts of aggression against our people.
In Illinois, we will do everything within our power to look out for our neighbors, uphold the Constitution, and defend the rule of law.
@GovPritzker The focus should be on why troops are needed and what they're being deployed for, not political outrage Using this as a partisan talking point distracts from real issues, like keeping people safe and resources in place
@GovPritzker Illinois leadership.
@GovPritzker Good! The people of Chicago deserve protection from the gangs and criminals you let run the streets!
@GovPritzker Maybe you should call them up and put them to work picking up litter on the highway. At least they’d be under your command, not Whiskey Pete’s. Good luck and thanks for trying to hold the line against federal takeover.
@GovPritzker You had the opportunity to clean up your mess. You not only failed, you refused to try. Today’s attack on federal officers, in which local PD refused to assist, was likely the last straw. You’re reaping what you’ve sown.
@GovPritzker It seems like the last time we had troops deployed here was during Trump’s first term. I don’t think he likes us very much.
@GovPritzker Aren't you lucky you have a president that cares about your state!?
@GovPritzker Stop harming our Federal Agents! This morning, during routine patrolling in Broadview, in the same area of Chicago that law enforcement were assaulted yesterday, our brave law enforcement officers were rammed by vehicles and boxed in by 10 cars. Agents were unable to move their
@GovPritzker 300 seems like overkill, and they won't be paid due to Trump's shutdown.
@GovPritzker They very people that are supposed to protect the citizens of states from a tyrannical government, the National Guard aka state militias, are instead being used by a tyrannical government to hurt the American people who are resisting the tyranny of this fascist regime that is
@GovPritzker Wonderful News
@GovPritzker Good
@GovPritzker Are you gonna send your brown shirts?
@GovPritzker Yes!! It's about time. Someone has to do something. Your state is dangerous and filled with extremely violent liberals.
@GovPritzker Thank GOD!! If you can't do your job, Trump will do it for you!!
@GovPritzker Make it 3000.
@GovPritzker Good
@GovPritzker Good! Since you refuse to do your damn job they need to!
@GovPritzker You do have the State police and you could lean on Chicago's leadership to actually ENFORCE THE LAW. Why do you want to allow crime, JB?
@GovPritzker Command the Illinois National Guard to defend your citizens against this invasion.
@GovPritzker Look at the bright side, you can take their spots in the chow hall.
@GovPritzker The Posse Comitatus Act needs to be enacted.
@GovPritzker We voted for this
@GovPritzker Because you have your officers stand down rather than do the sane thing.
@GovPritzker Good
@GovPritzker Good.