MEMORANDUM TO: THE SECRETARY OF WAR
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
THE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY
SUBJECT: Security Measures for Federal Employees and Assets in Illinois
The current conditions in Illinois, particularly within the vicinity of Chicago, are untenable. Federal institutions throughout the state, especially those that support Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Federal Protective Services (FPS), are facing targeted attacks from violent groups aiming to disrupt Federal law enforcement functions. These entities are actively engaging in violent protests, intimidation tactics, and sabotage aimed at obstructing the deportation processes of criminal aliens. The frequency and intensity of these incidents seem to be escalating, and this situation cannot persist.
These actions are not happening in isolation; they mirror similar disruptions occurring in various states and major cities across the nation that target the enforcement of Federal laws. On June 7, 2025, I made the determination that comparable incidents necessitated the mobilization of the National Guard. Similarly, at the close of September, I instructed the Secretary of War to activate the National Guard due to ongoing violent acts and disruptions against Federal law enforcement in Oregon.
Based on these previous directives and the present circumstances, I have concluded that these events, along with a credible threat of ongoing violence, hinder the enforcement of United States laws. Furthermore, I have established that the regular military forces are insufficient to guarantee the faithful execution of the laws, particularly in Chicago.
<pGiven the past occurrences in Chicago and the plausible threat of future upheaval, as well as my determinations, by the authority vested in me as President under the Constitution and federal laws, including 10 U.S.C. 12406, I hereby order the enlistment into Federal service of at least 300 members of the Illinois National Guard until such time that the Governor of Illinois agrees to a federally-funded mobilization, in accordance with Title 32 of the United States Code, under state control. The activated members of the Illinois National Guard will safeguard ICE, FPS, and other U.S. Government personnel executing Federal laws and will protect Federal properties throughout Illinois. Their deployment will occur at locations where violent protests obstruct or threaten to obstruct the enforcement of Federal legislation based on current threat assessments and planned operations. This Federal service will last for 60 days or as determined by the Secretary of War.
I also direct and assign the necessary actions for the Secretary of War to collaborate with the Governor of Illinois and the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to identify and order the appropriate personnel and units of the Illinois National Guard into Federal service under this directive.
To execute this mission effectively, the deployed National Guard personnel will perform all protective actions deemed necessary by the Secretary of War to ensure the enforcement of Federal laws and the protection of Federal properties in Illinois. After any National Guard personnel have been deployed to a specific location within Illinois, the Secretary of War will consult with the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security before any decisions to withdraw personnel from that location are made. The Secretary of War and the Secretary of Homeland Security may delegate these authorities to subordinate officials within their respective Departments as appropriate.
DONALD J. TRUMP
