National Guard soldiers are stationed outside of Chicago, with plans to potentially move to Memphis by the end of the week as part of the Trump administration’s firm stance on combating urban crime, regardless of local officials’ approval.
Members of the National Guard from Texas have already established themselves at an Army Reserve center in Illinois despite facing legal challenges and strong opposition from Democratic leaders. While their specific objectives remain unclear, the Trump administration has been actively involved in immigration enforcement in Chicago, where protests have frequently occurred at an immigration facility in Broadview.
Although President Trump has labeled Chicago as a crime-ridden city, official police data indicates notable declines in various crime categories, including homicides.
In Memphis, Police Chief Cerelyn Davis confirmed that a small group of commanders are present in the city, preparing for the potential deployment of Guard troops. Republican Governor Bill Lee has announced that the troops will be deputized by the U.S. Marshals Service to provide crucial support to local law enforcement, although the exact nature of their duties is yet to be defined.
The administration’s efforts to deploy military forces within U.S. borders against the wishes of state governors have sparked clashes with blue state officials. Illinois and Chicago are seeking legal intervention to halt what they perceive as Trump’s aggressive stance against the state. An upcoming court hearing is scheduled to address their lawsuit. Meanwhile, in Oregon, a judge recently blocked the deployment of Guard troops to Portland.
Governor JB Pritzker of Illinois foresees the activation of National Guard troops from the state, as well as those from Texas. He criticized Trump for utilizing troops as political tools without prior consultation with state authorities.
Military personnel representing the Texas National Guard have been observed at the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Elwood, southwest of Chicago. The Federal Aviation Administration has imposed flight restrictions over the center until early December for security purposes.
The ongoing immigration crackdown, characterized by armed Border Patrol agents conducting arrests near prominent landmarks, has raised concerns, especially in immigrant-heavy areas with large Latino populations.
Mayor Brandon Johnson of Chicago has taken steps to prevent federal immigration agents and others from using city-owned properties for enforcement activities. Since the beginning of his second term, Trump has either dispatched or discussed sending troops to various cities across the country, including Baltimore, the District of Columbia, New Orleans, and several California cities.
Despite a general decrease in violent crime nationwide, specific cities have reported significant reductions in crime rates. For instance, Chicago has seen a 31% decrease in homicides through August, while Portland has experienced a 51% decline in homicides during the first half of this year compared to the same period in 2024.
In Portland, ongoing protests at an ICE facility have led to occasional clashes with law enforcement. An appeal is scheduled for Thursday in Oregon regarding the deployment of Guard troops in Portland.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has emphasized the absence of an insurrection in the state. Portland Police Chief Bob Day expressed the need for closer collaboration with federal agents to enhance security at the ICE facility.
Efforts to deploy Guard troops in Los Angeles faced legal challenges in September when a federal judge ruled that the administration had violated federal law by stationing troops in the city amidst protests against immigration enforcement.
The Federal Aviation Administration has issued flight restrictions over the army reserve center until early December for security reasons.