If you’ve been scrolling through your feed lately, you’ve probably seen some pretty wild headlines about the federal government "occupying" Chicago. It sounds like something out of a dystopian novel, right? But for the folks living in the Windy City, the sight of tactical gear and federal badges has been a very real, very tense reality over the last few months of 2025 and into early 2026.
Basically, what we’re looking at is a massive clash between the White House and the State of Illinois. It’s not just a Twitter spat anymore; it’s a full-blown legal and physical standoff.
The Surge: What is Operation Midway Blitz?
Back in September 2025, the Trump administration launched something called Operation Midway Blitz. The official line from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was that they needed a "multi-agency surge" to target criminal illegal aliens and restore order.
But honestly, the execution looked a lot different than a standard police operation. We’re talking about more than 2,000 federal officers—many from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and ICE—fanning out across Chicago neighborhoods.
- The Gear: Masked agents in tactical vests, often without clear name tags.
- The Tactics: Reports of tear gas being used near schools, like the incident at a Logan Square elementary school.
- The Reach: Border Patrol agents were even spotted patrolling the Chicago River.
It’s pretty jarring because Chicago isn’t on the border. Governor JB Pritzker called it an "authoritarian power grab," while Mayor Brandon Johnson warned that these tactics were basically designed to "inflame tensions" rather than solve crime.
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The National Guard Standoff
The biggest point of friction was the attempt to use the military. Trump tried to federalize about 300 members of the Illinois National Guard in October 2025. Pritzker flat-out refused the order. He basically told the feds, "If you want them, you’ll have to take them."
And they did. The administration tried to bypass the governor by using an obscure law (10 U.S.C. § 12406), claiming the president is allowed to take control of the Guard if the state can't or won't enforce federal law.
This went all the way to the Supreme Court. On December 23, 2025, the court dropped a bombshell. In a 6-3 ruling, they said Trump didn't have the authority to federalize the Guard for these purposes. Justice Brett Kavanaugh even noted that the administration hadn't proven that "regular forces" (the actual military) were insufficient to do the job.
Why Chicago? The "Law and Order" Narrative
You’ve probably heard Trump call Chicago a "mess" or a "disaster" in his Truth Social posts. He’s been fixated on the city for years. In his view, Chicago is the poster child for why "sanctuary city" policies don't work.
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The weird part? The data doesn't really back up the "war zone" imagery. In 2025, Chicago actually saw:
- Homicides drop by about 30%.
- Shootings decrease by nearly 40%.
So while the administration was saying the city was in a state of "rebellion" to justify sending troops, the local police were actually reporting some of their best numbers in decades. It’s a classic case of two different groups looking at the same city and seeing two completely different worlds.
The Lawsuit: Illinois Hits Back
Just yesterday, January 12, 2026, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul filed a massive 103-page lawsuit against the DHS. The state is arguing that the federal government is using "occupier" tactics that violate the 10th Amendment.
They aren't just complaining about the politics. The lawsuit lists some pretty serious allegations:
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- Unlawful Detention: Federal agents allegedly detained residents—including a 19-year-old named Warren King—without warrants or probable cause.
- Chemical Weapons: The use of tear gas and pepper balls against protesters and bystanders.
- Biometric Scanning: Forcing people to submit to facial recognition or fingerprinting on the street without a clear legal reason.
Basically, the state is saying that if the feds want to do immigration enforcement, they have to follow the rules—not act like a paramilitary force in the middle of a residential neighborhood.
Is This Still Happening?
On New Year's Eve, Trump posted that he was withdrawing the National Guard from Chicago, LA, and Portland "for the time being." He claimed they "greatly reduced" crime, though the courts actually forced his hand.
But don't think it's over. He also promised to come back in a "much different and stronger form." This could mean invoking the Insurrection Act, which is the "nuclear option" of presidential power. It would allow him to bypass governors entirely, but it’s a legal minefield that hasn't been meaningfully updated since the 1800s.
What You Should Know If You Live in Chicago
If you're in the city or have family there, it’s a confusing time. Local police are often caught in the middle. Mayor Johnson signed executive orders creating "ICE-free zones" and preventing Chicago PD from cooperating with federal immigration raids.
- Know Your Rights: Federal agents generally still need a warrant to enter private property, even if they're part of a "surge."
- Watch the Courts: The current lawsuit by AG Raoul is seeking an immediate injunction to stop the use of tear gas and warrantless stops.
- Stay Informed: Local groups like the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) are providing real-time updates on where "Midway Blitz" teams are operating.
The "troops in Chicago" story is about more than just one city. It’s a test case for how much power the president has over local streets. Whether you see it as a necessary crackdown or an illegal occupation, the legal fallout from this winter will likely change American law for years to come.
Next Steps for Staying Updated:
- Monitor the Northern District of Illinois court filings to see if the judge grants a temporary restraining order against federal tactics.
- Check the official City of Chicago newsroom for updates on the "Welcoming City" ordinance and any changes to police cooperation policies.
- Follow the Senate Armed Services Committee hearings; they’ve been grilling military leaders about whether these deployment orders violate their oaths of enlistment.