"If you’re not going to protect your citizens, President Trump will," – Bondi on Chicago troop deployment in Senate hearing

Illinois Senator Dick Durbin and former Attorney General Pam Bondi had a tense exchange about President Trump sending National Guard troops to Chicago. Durbin opened the hearing by saying, "He is illegally deploying troops to Chicago and other American cities and has threatened to send more." He also criticized the Justice Department for defending the move and diverting staff to help with it.

When it was his turn to ask questions, Durbin asked Bondi if the White House consulted her before sending troops. Bondi refused to answer about internal White House talks, saying, "I am not going to discuss any internal conversations with the White House", as stated in the report by CBS News. Durbin pressed further, asking why the American public doesn’t know the reason behind sending Texas National Guard units to Illinois.

National guard deployment debate

Bondi responded sharply, blaming Durbin for the government shutdown and saying law enforcement officers are not being paid, adding, "I wish you could love Chicago as much as you hate President Trump. And currently the National Guard are on the way to Chicago. If you're not going to protect your citizens, President Trump will."


Durbin appeared frustrated and shook his head, saying this kind of personal attack instead of answering questions is typical for the Trump administration. He continued, emphasizing that it’s his responsibility to ask if there was a legal rationale for sending troops and said Bondi’s refusal shows political tensions in Washington.

Trump considers insurrection act

On Tuesday morning, Texas National Guard troops were seen boarding a plane, possibly heading to Illinois, as reported by CBS News. The deployment was ordered despite objections from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. On Monday, President Trump said he might use the Insurrection Act to send military troops to U.S. cities, which is normally illegal under the Posse Comitatus Act.

The Posse Comitatus Act forbids the president from using the military for law enforcement inside the U.S. unless certain conditions apply. Using the Insurrection Act would allow Trump to claim the deployment is to put down a rebellion against the government. Trump is also planning to send troops to Portland, Oregon, even though officials there and in Illinois say there is no insurrection or emergency, as stated in the report by CBS News.

FAQs

Q1. Why is President Trump sending National Guard troops to Chicago?

Trump ordered troops to Chicago, claiming to protect citizens, even though local leaders say there is no emergency.

Q2. Can the president legally deploy the military in U.S. cities?

Normally no, the Posse Comitatus Act forbids it, but using the Insurrection Act allows it in rare cases.