The Legislation Would Require the Consent of the Governor of Illinois to Receive National Guard from Another State if President Trump Orders Them into Illinois Communities
It Comes Amid Reports the Texas National Guard is Preparing to Deploy to Chicago if President Trump Orders It – Which This Bill Would Prevent
Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) is joining legislation that would prevent National Guard troops from other states being sent into Illinois without the consent of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. His backing of the bill comes amidst concerning reports that the Texas National Guard is preparing to deploy to Chicago on President Trump’s orders – despite Governor Pritzker not requesting it. If passed, the bill would make this illegal.
The Congressman recently voted to pass the legislation as part of an amendment to this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) during a House Armed Services Committee hearing. However, Republicans on the committee blocked this provision from being included in the NDAA that passed out of committee.
“I’m not afraid to stand up to President Trump to protect my neighbors from an unlawful deployment of National Guard troops in our communities,” said Congressman Sorensen. “I trust our state and local law enforcement agencies to go after criminals and keep families safe. We don’t need faraway governors in other states – who know nothing about our communities – sending in their National Guard units against the explicit wishes of our governor.”
The bill would require the consent of the chief executives of both the sending state and the receiving state should the President request National Guard units under Title 32. Additionally, the bill would clarify that the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits the use of U.S. military personnel for domestic law enforcement, applies to all troops under federal command and control – no matter their status.
You can read the legislation HERE.
***Courtesy of Congressman Eric Sorensen***
