Chicago, Illinois, USA: Indian American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) on October 6 strongly criticised former President Donald Trump’s decision to send Texas National Guard troops into Illinois, describing the move as a misuse of executive authority.
In a formal statement, Krishnamoorthi accused Trump of leading “a militarised campaign of intimidation against U.S. citizens.” He said, “Deploying Texas National Guard members into Illinois—against the will of Governor J.B. Pritzker—is a shocking overreach of power and a dangerous step toward normalising the use of American troops against our own people.”
Krishnamoorthi asserted that the deployment was driven by politics rather than public safety, saying it undermines the core values of democracy. “This decision isn’t about keeping communities safe—it’s about spreading fear and exercising control,” he noted. “Using federal forces against Americans goes against the very ideals upon which this country was built.”
The Congressman further stressed that Illinois communities should not be used for political drama. “Our state is not under attack, our streets are not battle zones, and our people should never be used as background for political theatre,” he added. “I fully support Governor Pritzker in standing up for the rule of law and demanding accountability.”
The President’s order has already led to a legal battle. On the same day, the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago filed a lawsuit to block the deployment, claiming it violates the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts the use of the military in domestic law enforcement, and infringes on state rights protected by the Tenth Amendment.
Governor J.B. Pritzker denounced the move as an “unauthorised invasion”, stating that no President should send military troops into a state without coordination or consent. “Illinois is not a battlefield for political showmanship,” Pritzker declared. “No administration should treat our communities like stages for their agenda.”
Meanwhile, the White House and Texas authorities defended the action, arguing that the troop presence was necessary to protect federal facilities and personnel amid continuing demonstrations in Chicago tied to Operation Midway Blitz, a federal immigration enforcement campaign launched last month.
