Texas National Guard Leaving Illinois - Deployed, but never Activated

Chicago, IL – November 16, 2025  

Approximately 200 members of the Texas National Guard are packing up and heading back to the Lone Star State after more than a month stationed in the Chicago area without ever firing a shot in operational duty. The departure, confirmed by a U.S. Northern Command official on Sunday, marks the end of a federal deployment that sparked fierce legal battles, accusations of overreach, and bipartisan hand-wringing over the role of military forces in domestic unrest.

The troops, federalized under Title 10 authority by President Donald Trump in early October, arrived at the Naval Station Great Lakes in North Chicago amid escalating tensions over immigration enforcement and protests at federal facilities. Paired with a similar contingent from California dispatched to Portland, Oregon, the Texas Guardsmen were intended to bolster protection for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel and property in the Windy City. Yet, from day one, their mission was mired in courtrooms rather than city streets.

"Legal challenges continue playing out in court," the Northern Command official told reporters, emphasizing that the unit "never deployed operationally." Federal judges, including U.S. District Judge April Perry, swiftly issued temporary restraining orders blocking the activation, citing concerns over state sovereignty and the Posse Comitatus Act, which limits military involvement in civilian law enforcement. An appeals court later allowed the troops to remain on site for training but barred patrols or active engagements, leaving the Guardsmen in a limbo of drills and downtime at an Army Reserve facility southwest of Chicago.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, a vocal critic of the deployment, hailed the development as a partial victory for state rights but warned of broader implications. In a statement Saturday evening, his office decried the federal action as an attempt to "normalize military forces in American cities," vowing to press on with litigation. "Illinois will continue fighting for our state sovereignty, protecting people's rights, and keeping our communities peaceful," the statement read. Notably, the governor's team complained of a lack of coordination from Washington, with no advance notice of the Texas unit's exit.

The Illinois National Guard, meanwhile, remains on active federal duty. Its 200 members, federalized in October, will stay put to maintain a presence in Chicago, according to the official. This hybrid arrangement underscores the patchwork nature of the response to what the Trump administration has framed as a "constant, enduring, and long-term" security need in urban hotspots.

The episode wasn't without its own mini-dramas. Early on, viral social media photos of arriving Texas troops drew scrutiny over apparent fitness levels, prompting the Texas Military Department to replace seven members for failing to meet "mission requirements." Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praised the swift action, reiterating that "our standards will be high, uncompromising, and clear."

Back in Austin, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who greenlit up to 400 state Guardsmen for out-of-state aid, struck a triumphant tone on social media. "Texas steps up when others won't—mission accomplished in Illinois," he posted, though details on the unit's non-operational contributions remained sparse.

Critics, including Illinois Democrats like U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez, decried the whole affair as an "unconstitutional invasion," accusing the president of authoritarian tendencies. "Trump wants to escalate his violent attack on our cities. We won't be intimidated," Ramirez tweeted in October. On the flip side, supporters argued the deployment was a necessary bulwark against chaos, with one Texas-based commentator quipping online that it was simply "returning the favor" for Illinois politicians' occasional retreats to the state.

As the Texas convoy rolls southbound in the coming days, the saga leaves lingering questions: Will ongoing Supreme Court appeals revive similar mobilizations? And in an era of polarized policing, does this signal a new normal for interstate military aid? For now, Chicago's streets breathe a tentative sigh of relief—or resentment—depending on whom you ask.The White House has not yet commented on the pullback, but sources indicate plans for rotational federal support persist. In Portland, the California unit's parallel withdrawal suggests a broader recalibration. 17GEN4.com