Gov. Greg Abbott Deploys 400 Texas National Guard Troops to Chicago and Portland Under Trump’s Order — Democrats Call It an “Invasion” as Legal Battle Erupts
The Texas National Guard is officially on the move. Late Monday, Governor Greg Abbott authorized the deployment of 400 Texas Guard members to Chicago and Portland, following President Donald Trump’s directive to secure federal property amid rising protests and violent demonstrations. The unprecedented move, confirmed by multiple outlets including The Texas Tribune and Reuters, marks one of the largest interstate Guard mobilizations in recent memory — and has set off a political firestorm across the country.
Footage shared on social media showed uniformed troops boarding military aircraft at sunset, loaded with riot gear and supplies, as Abbott declared that “Texas will always stand with the rule of law.” The operation comes amid heightened tensions over immigration enforcement and attacks on federal buildings in several major cities, which the administration says require immediate, coordinated protection.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker responded swiftly, filing an emergency lawsuit in federal court to block the deployment, calling the move “a clear violation of state sovereignty and the Constitution.” Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson joined the legal action, arguing that Trump and Abbott’s plan amounts to “political theater” that risks inflaming local tensions. But in a stunning overnight ruling, a federal judge declined to halt the deployment, citing the need for further hearings before intervention could occur.
That decision opened the door for the Texas troops to begin their transfer north. According to early reports, the soldiers are expected to reach federal sites in Chicago and Portland within forty-eight hours. Trump officials say their mission will be limited to protecting federal facilities, deterring violent unrest, and assisting local law enforcement upon request. The White House praised Abbott for his “swift, decisive leadership” and framed the move as an example of states working in coordination to preserve national security.
Still, critics across the aisle have condemned the deployment as an overreach of federal authority. Governor Pritzker, backed by several Democratic state attorneys general, warned that the decision could set a dangerous precedent by allowing presidents to bypass local governments and use out-of-state Guard forces to enforce federal priorities. “If this stands,” Pritzker said during a press conference, “no state’s autonomy will be safe.”
The legal and political stakes are enormous. The deployment recalls the Trump administration’s 2020 actions in Portland, when federal officers clashed with protesters outside the Mark O. Hatfield Courthouse. This time, the scale is larger — and the coordination between red-state governors far more deliberate. Abbott’s decision to align Texas forces under Trump’s authority underscores the growing divide between Republican-led and Democratic-led states over federal enforcement power.
Supporters of the move argue it’s a show of unity and strength. “This is how it’s done,” Abbott told reporters, emphasizing that red states will not “sit idly by while chaos spreads.” Conservative leaders and media outlets praised the action as a necessary measure to defend federal sovereignty and restore order. Meanwhile, opponents fear it will escalate already volatile protests and strain the boundaries of military involvement on domestic soil.
As the Texas National Guard departs, the sight of soldiers boarding planes under the glow of a fading sun has already become symbolic — not just of one operation, but of the growing battle over who controls America’s streets, its laws, and its future. What began as an effort to protect federal buildings has become something much larger: a test of constitutional power, state independence, and political will in a country increasingly defined by division.
