Trump authorises deployment of 300 National Guard troops to Chicago

October 5, 2025

President Donald Trump has authorized the deployment of 300 National Guard troops to Chicago, citing concerns about crime despite opposition from state and local officials. The announcement coincided with reports of confrontations between immigration authorities and protesters in Chicago, where officials claim an armed woman was shot after ramming law enforcement vehicles. This deployment is part of a controversial pattern targeting several Democrat-led cities, including Washington, Portland, Los Angeles, and Memphis, raising constitutional concerns since National Guard troops are typically deployed by state governors.

Who is affected

Chicago residents
Protesters in Chicago, particularly those demonstrating against immigration enforcement
Federal law enforcement officers in Chicago
Illinois state and local leadership, including Governor JB Pritzker
The armed woman who was reportedly shot after ramming law enforcement vehicles
Portland residents (mentioned in related court decision)
Residents of other Democrat-led cities targeted for troop deployments

What action is being taken

President Trump is authorizing the deployment of 300 National Guard troops to Chicago
Federal Judge Karin Immergut in Portland is temporarily blocking similar troop deployments there
Immigration authorities are confronting protesters in Chicago
Protests against immigration enforcement are continuing outside US Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities in Chicago

Why it matters

The deployment raises constitutional questions about federal versus state authority, as National Guard troops are typically deployed by state governors
It represents potential escalation of federal intervention in local law enforcement matters without state consent
The judge in Portland ruled such deployments risk "blurring the line between civil and military federal power"
Trump has explicitly stated he wants American cities used as "training grounds" for US troops to combat what he calls the "enemy from within"
The deployments appear to target Democrat-led cities specifically, with the White House claiming local leaders have "refused to step in to quell" unrest
Violent crime in Chicago has actually fallen by a third in the first half of the year compared to last year, contradicting the stated rationale for intervention

What's next

Any deployment to Chicago will likely face legal challenges similar to those seen in Portland
No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC