Deployment of Texas National Guard Troops
Introduction to the Issue
AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott said Sunday he had authorized President Donald Trump to use 400 members of the Texas National Guard for deployments in other states to protect federal officials. Trump administration officials have said that National Guard soldiers are needed in order to protect federal immigration agents as they are arresting undocumented migrants and conduct other immigration-related operations.
The anticipated deployment of Texas National Guard soldiers prompted Illinois and Chicago to file a joint lawsuit in federal court Monday to stop troops from going to Illinois. Here is what we know and don’t know about the deployment of Texas National Guard troops.
Background Information
Abbott’s post on X Sunday came after Trump recently described cities like Portland and Chicago in apocalyptic terms. Last week, Trump posted on Truth Social that Portland was a “NEVER-ENDING DISASTER” and that it is “run like a Third World Country.”
I fully authorized the President to call up 400 members of the Texas National Guard to ensure safety for federal officials.
You can either fully enforce protection for federal employees or get out of the way and let Texas Guard do it.
No Guard can match the training, skill, and… https://t.co/7SUk9XlMBn
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) October 6, 2025
Abbott, in his Sunday post on X said “You can either fully enforce protection for federal employees or get out of the way and let Texas Guard do it.”
Throughout his second term, Trump has deployed soldiers to numerous cities, including Washington D.C., saying they are needed to combat crime and protect federal law enforcement employees.
Deployment to Other States
On Sunday, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek was informed that Texas National Guard soldiers are also being prepared to be deployed to Oregon, The Oregonian reported.
Illinois, Oregon have filed lawsuits seeking to block National Guard deployments. Oregon filed a lawsuit on Sept. 28 to block Trump’s efforts to federalize members of the state’s National Guard and deploy them to Portland.
On Saturday, U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut, who was appointed by Trump, blocked the administration from temporarily federalizing the state’s guard. The administration on Sunday tried sending troops from California and Texas to Oregon following Immergut’s order on Saturday.
Immergut issued a broader order Sunday night and prohibited National Guard members from any state or federal agency from being sent to Oregon.
Illinois filed a similar lawsuit against the administration Monday morning. The suit asked the court to stop Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s Oct. 4 order to federalize up to 300 members of the Illinois National Guard, as well as “any subsequent effort to achieve the same end with the National Guard of the United States or other U.S. military, immediately and permanently.”
Current Status of Deployments
Texas hasn’t clarified when and where its National Guard troops will go. It is unclear if any Texas National Guard soldiers are being sent to Illinois on Monday.
Texas Military Department officials said Monday morning that no Texas National Guard members had received orders to deploy. They referred questions about the deployments to the Governor’s Office.
The Governor’s Office did not respond to questions Monday morning. Both lawsuits from Oregon and Illinois included a memo that was written by Hegseth that ordered up to 400 Texas National Guard personnel activated for deployment to Oregon, Illinois and possibly elsewhere.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has scheduled a news conference for Monday afternoon.
Conclusion
The deployment of Texas National Guard troops to other states has sparked controversy and lawsuits. The situation is ongoing, and it remains to be seen how the courts will rule on the issue. As the situation continues to unfold, it is essential to stay informed about the latest developments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about the deployment of Texas National Guard troops:
Q: Why are Texas National Guard troops being deployed to other states?
A: The troops are being deployed to protect federal officials and conduct immigration-related operations.
Q: Which states are the troops being deployed to?
A: The troops are being deployed to Oregon, Illinois, and possibly other states.
Q: Have any lawsuits been filed regarding the deployment?
A: Yes, Oregon and Illinois have filed lawsuits seeking to block the deployment of National Guard troops.
Q: What is the current status of the deployments?
A: The situation is ongoing, and it remains to be seen how the courts will rule on the issue. Texas hasn’t clarified when and where its National Guard troops will go.
