The White House spokesperson stated that President Trump has authorized the deployment of 300 Illinois National Guard members to protect federal assets in the midst of “violent riots and lawlessness.”
Abigail Jackson, a White House spokesperson, confirmed this deployment in a statement to The Epoch Times.
“In the ongoing violent riots and lawlessness, with local leaders like Illinois Governor JB Pritzker refusing to intervene to quell the unrest, President Trump has authorized the deployment of 300 National Guard members to protect federal officials and assets,” she said. “President Trump will not turn a blind eye to the lawlessness plaguing American cities.”
Earlier, on Saturday, federal agents in Broadview, a suburb of Chicago, were faced with a series of car crashes and blockades. Crowds protesting against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had been gathering in the area for days.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said in a statement on Saturday that the Department of War had issued him an ultimatum earlier in the day: either he mobilizes the state National Guard or the government will do it directly.
According to Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin, one of the drivers accused of ramming law enforcement vehicles was carrying a semi-automatic weapon. She said that immobilized officers “were forced to shoot in self-defense at an armed U.S. citizen.”
The Department of Homeland Security stated in a release that the armed woman is a U.S. citizen and her name appeared in an intelligence bulletin from Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Reportedly, she had exposed personal information of agents and posted online inciting attacks against them to prevent arrests.
McLaughlin stated that no law enforcement officers were seriously injured in the incident. She added that the woman involved drove herself to the hospital to seek treatment for her injuries.
The Chicago U.S. Attorney’s Office responded to the attack, calling the situation “serious” and noting that the violence jeopardized the “life and safety” of officers.
“The Justice Department does not tolerate attacks on our brave federal law enforcement officers,” the office wrote in a post. “We will investigate and prosecute all individuals, including public officials, who attack or obstruct federal law enforcement officers and hold them accountable according to the law.”
Reportedly, the federal agents were conducting routine patrols in Broadview, a suburb of Chicago, when the alleged attack occurred.
The ICE processing center in Broadview has become a focal point of protest activities.
Governor Pritzker opposed the deployment of troops, stating, “It is not within the American spirit to ask a governor to deploy the military within our borders against our will.”
His statement came after the violent clashes in Broadview near Chicago.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also confirmed the attack and announced the deployment of “special operations” to stabilize the situation. She said in a statement, “If you see law enforcement officers today, please thank them.”
The conflict marks a further escalation in the increasingly tense relationship between federal authorities and some states. At the core of the dispute is “Operation Midway Blitz,” a federal immigration enforcement initiative launched on September 8.
The Department of Homeland Security recently stated that this operation in Illinois has resulted in the arrests of over 800 people, targeting individuals with criminal records, including sex offenders and gang affiliates.
Pritzker had criticized federal agents in Broadview for using tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets, and flash-bang grenades against protesters exercising their First Amendment rights.
Before the clashes between protesters and federal agents outside the ICE facility in Broadview, McLaughlin had urged Pritzker to tone down the rhetoric about ICE.
McLaughlin stated, “The riots outside the Broadview ICE facility and the attacks on ICE officers occurred because Democratic politicians, including Governor Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson, demonized and vilified the ICE enforcement agency.”
The Department of War confirmed last week that they had received a request from the Department of Homeland Security to deploy troops to Illinois to assist in protecting federal personnel, property, and functions. The department said that any decision would be made “in accordance with established procedures and announced at the appropriate time.”
In a statement on Saturday, Pritzker said, “There is no need for the deployment of troops in Illinois,” emphasizing that local law enforcement has been working to “ensure public safety around the Broadview ICE facility and protect the ability of people to peacefully exercise their constitutional rights.”
He added, “I will not mobilize our National Guard to further the aggressive actions of President Trump against our people.”
The Epoch Times has sought comment from the White House regarding Pritzker’s statement about the impending deployment of the National Guard.
(Contributions to this report were made by Epoch Times reporters Tom Ozimek and Aldgra Fredly)