Texas National Guard troops are expected to soon return from Illinois amid legal challenges that halt their deployment to the Chicago area, several media outlets reported this weekend.
In early October, Gov. the federal government鈥檚 mobilization of 400 troops from Texas to other states to 鈥渟afeguard鈥� U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. According to the U.S. Northern Command, aTexas Guard members were in the Chicago area .
State and local governments in Illinois objected to the out-of-state soldiers鈥� presence, and a federal court quickly ruled that they , but didn鈥檛 have to withdraw from the state.
The legal fight between Illinois and the federal government over the issue reached the U.S. Supreme Court, where the case 鈥� the court asked for more legal briefings by Monday. It鈥檚 unclear when a ruling could come.
Media outlets including CNN and The New York Times reported that Texas National Guard troops are preparing to return home, citing anonymous U.S. officials.
The Department of Defense on Sunday pointed The Texas Tribune to by the Northern Command that says it will be adjusting National Guard troops鈥� presence in Chicago, Portland and Los Angeles 鈥渋n the coming days鈥� to 鈥渆nsure a constant, enduring, and long-term presence in each city.鈥�
鈥淥ur troops in each city (and others) are trained and ready, and will be employed whenever needed to support law enforcement and keep our citizens safe,鈥� the post said.
Abbott鈥檚 office on Sunday referred the Tribune to the Pentagon.
Matt Hill, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker鈥檚 deputy chief of staff for communications, said in a Saturday that the Trump administration doesn鈥檛 update the governor鈥檚 office on military movements within the state. He also raised concerns about the federal government鈥檚 discussion about maintaining a long-term National Guard presence in these cities.
鈥淭his confirms what we have always known: this is about normalizing military forces in American cities,鈥� Hill said. 鈥淚llinois will continue fighting for our state sovereignty, protecting people鈥檚 rights, and keeping our communities peaceful.鈥�
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