The NPR Politics Podcast Why Trump Says He Wants To Send The National Guard To Chicago And Portland
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Oct 8, 2025 The discussion dives into Trump's plan to deploy the National Guard in Chicago and Portland, exploring the administration's justifications. Legal frameworks around federalizing the Guard are highlighted, raising concerns about the use of cities as military training grounds. Albuquerque's cooperative approach to deploying the National Guard contrasts sharply with federalized actions met with local resistance. Poll results reveal sharp partisan divides on the issue, while the hosts analyze how media perception shapes public support for such interventions.
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Federalizing The Guard Faces Legal Pushback
- The Trump administration moved to federalize National Guard units for deployments to Portland and Chicago citing immigration and crime concerns.
- Courts and governors are pushing back, and many units have not yet been deployed.
Rhetoric Frames Justification For Deployment
- President Trump frames deployments as responses to illegal immigration and crime run by ‘radical left’ mayors.
- He uses stark rhetoric, calling some cities "war zones" to justify federal action.
Legal Bases Cited For Federal Control
- The administration cites Title 10/12406 and the Insurrection Act as legal bases to federalize guards.
- Officials want Guard troops to protect ICE facilities and accompany federal agents on immigration operations.