SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has responded to reports that military deployments could be sent to the state.
The Washington Post has reported President Donald Trump is considering a deployment of federal troops to Chicago and the Pentagon has been planning such a deployment for weeks.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office Friday, Trump indicated Chicago may be next in his effort to tackle crime and illegal immigration.
Democratic Governor JB Pritzker issued a statement Saturday indicating the state, at this time, “has received no requests or outreach from the federal government asking if we need assistance, and we have made no requests for federal intervention.”
Pritzker emphasized the safety of the people of Illinois is a priority.
“There is no emergency that warrants the President of the United States federalizing the Illinois National Guard, deploying the National Guard from other states, or sending active duty military within our own borders,” Pritzker said.
Pritzker also accused Trump of “attempting to manufacture a crisis, politicize Americans who serve in uniform, and abusing his power to distract from the pain he is causing working families.”
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