US attorney general says National Guard troops headed to Chicago

'You're sitting here grilling me, and they're on their way to Chicago to keep your state safe,' Pam Bondi tells Illinois senator

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - US National Guard troops are currently on their way to Chicago, Attorney General Pam Bondi told lawmakers Tuesday as state and local officials seek to halt President Donald Trump's avowed deployment.

"I wish you loved Chicago as much as you hate President Trump. And currently, the National Guard are on the way to Chicago," Bondi said under questioning by Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin. "You're sitting here grilling me, and they're on their way to Chicago to keep your state safe."

"It's my job to grill you. Investigation of your agency is part of my responsibility, and this committee. You may not like the experience, but others have weathered the storm and answered questions in a respectful manner,” Durbin retorted.

The guardsmen are being joined by FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Bondi said during testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

CNN reported Monday that a plane carrying troops from the Texas National Guard landed in Indiana, which neighbors Illinois.

The reported flight followed a post by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on the US social media company, X, where he shared a photo and wrote: “The elite Texas National Guard. Ever ready. Deploying now.”

Earlier Monday, Illinois and Chicago officials filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration seeking to block the deployment, arguing that Trump’s order to federalize state troops was unconstitutional. The lawsuit, submitted by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul to the federal court in Chicago, described the move as “illegal, dangerous, and unconstitutional.”

"The Trump administration’s illegal actions have already subjected and are subjecting Illinois to serious and irreparable harm. The deployment of federalized National Guard, including from another state, infringes on Illinois’s sovereignty and right to self-governance. It will cause only more unrest, including harming social fabric and community relations and increasing the mistrust of police," it said

The judge presiding over the case gave the Trump administration until midnight on Wednesday to respond.

Kaynak:

This news has been read 159 times in total