States are protecting us from Trump's authoritarian invasion. You wanted this?

[Jilly_in_VA]

Rex Huppke

Let’s put things simply: U.S. states are now having to defend themselves against the federal government.

In a remarkable Oct. 6 news conference, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and other elected officials made clear they will protect Chicagoans and the other residents of the state from President Donald Trump’s federal forces, be they Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents or out-of-state National Guard troops.

Highlighting a “military-style raid” on a Chicago apartment building and the use of teargas and rubber bullets on peaceful protesters, Pritzker said of ICE agents and other federal law enforcement officers Trump dispatched to the city: “They have struck fear in our communities, including, notably, fear in the hearts of U.S. citizens. Trump and the thuggery that his agents have brought has actively made us less safe.”

Illinois officials sued Trump on Oct. 6 to stop him from sending Texas National Guard troops into Chicago. A judge gave the government three days to respond.

Another federal judge over the weekend granted Oregon’s request for a restraining order keeping National Guard troops from other states out of Portland.

This is all several steps beyond insane, and thank goodness Democrats like Pritzker have the spine to stand up to the president’s weaselly authoritarianism. The administration is making laughable and easily disproven claims about Democratic cities being war-torn hellscapes, crafting a facade to justify militarization.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/columnist/2025/10/07/trump-national-guard-chicago-pritzker-illinois-lawsuit/86550671007/?tbref=hp

One reason I love JB. He's not flashy, but he takes no crap from anyone.