Trump says he's fighting crime. Illinois Gov. Pritzker sees a power grab before 2026

Steve Inskeep

September 10, 2025 / 3:00 am

For weeks President Trump has threatened to send National Guard troops to Chicago. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker says Trump's repeated threats to send troops are a power grab while the President says it's an effort to fight crime.

Pritzker alleges that Trump wants to set a pattern of military intervention before the 2026 Congressional elections.

Trump appears to lack the legal authority, at this point, to deploy troops to Chicago without Pritzker's request. But the Department of Homeland Security made a different move on Monday, announcing "Operation Midway Blitz," an operation to round up people without legal status.

On Tuesday, Pritzker spoke with NPR foll

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