Texas to Recall National Guard Troops From Illinois Ahead of Thanksgiving

12:55 PM, 11/23/2025

Governor Greg Abbott confirmed that Texas National Guard troops sent to Illinois in October have been ordered to return to Texas before Thanksgiving. About 200 of up to 400 authorized personnel arrived Oct. 7 to support ICE and were described by U.S. Northern Command as conducting "demobilization activities." The deployment—carried out despite Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker rejecting their presence—sparked legal challenges now pending before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Governor Greg Abbott said in an interview that Texas National Guard troops sent to Illinois in October have been ordered to return to Texas before Thanksgiving.

Abbott made the announcement during a campaign stop in San Marcos, stating, in response to questions about the deployment:

"They've already been ordered to return before Thanksgiving."

In early October, Abbott authorized up to 400 Texas National Guard members to support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations. On Oct. 7, 200 of those troops arrived in Illinois. The U.S. Northern Command has described those personnel as conducting "demobilization activities" in Chicago.

Legal experts noted that interstate National Guard deployments typically occur with the invitation or consent of the receiving state's governor. In this case, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker publicly rejected the presence of Texas troops, making the move an unusual and controversial federal deployment.

The situation prompted litigation. A federal court ruled the troops could not be activated for certain duties but allowed them to remain in the state for now. The decision was appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, and both parties filed what were described as their final briefs as the high court prepares to rule.

What happens next: The ordered recall means the Texas troops are expected to leave Illinois before Thanksgiving, while the Supreme Court's forthcoming decision will determine broader legal questions about interstate National Guard activations and the limits of federal authority in such deployments.

Texas to Recall National Guard Troops From Illinois Ahead of Thanksgiving

Similar Articles

Abbott Says Texas National Guard Will Return from Illinois Before Thanksgiving

Texas National Guard Poised to Leave Chicago After Court Blocks Federal Deployment

Pentagon Withdraws Hundreds of National Guard Troops From Portland and Chicago Amid Court Battles

Pentagon Pulls Some National Guard Troops From Chicago and Portland, New York Times Reports

National Guard to Deploy to New Orleans as Federal 'Swamp Sweep' Begins

Judge Orders End to D.C. National Guard Deployment — 21-Day Stay Allows Appeal

Abbott Defends Texas Redistricting, Labels CAIR, Keeps National Guard at Border — Schools, Transparency and Monarchs Also in Focus

Report: Federal Troop Deployments to U.S. Cities Have Cost Taxpayers Nearly $473M

DHS Agents Expected in New Orleans as Early as Dec. 1 — Local Leaders Warn of Fear and Unanswered Questions

Judge Rules Trump Administration Illegally Deployed National Guard in Washington, D.C.; 21-Day Appeal Window

Judge Rules Pentagon’s National Guard Deployment to Washington, D.C. Unlawful — Order Stayed Pending Appeal

Tennessee Keeps National Guard in Memphis While State Appeals Judge’s Ruling

Federal Judge Questions Trump's Continued Control Of California National Guard

West Virginia Guard Remains in D.C. After Ambush Kills One, Governor Says No Troops Have Asked to Return

Judge Pauses Order Barring Tennessee National Guard in Memphis — Troops to Remain During Appeal

DC to Pair National Guard with Local Police for Joint High-Visibility Patrols After Guard Members Are Shot

Pentagon Arms Every National Guard Troop in Washington, D.C., After Ambush Near White House

Tennessee Judge Temporarily Blocks Gov. Lee's National Guard Deployment to Memphis

Appeals Court Temporarily Pauses Order That Would End National Guard Deployments In Washington, D.C.

Illinois Warns Rental Companies: Immigration Agents May Not Swap License Plates — Firms Could Face Penalties

Trending