Governors’ War: Abbott attacks Pritzker for resisting National Guard

Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott mocked Democratic Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, calling him a “joke” for opposing his deployment of Texas National Guard troops to provide security for immigration enforcement operations in Chicago.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Abbott said, “Governor Pritzker is a joke” and “violating his oath of office” by attempting to interfere with federal law enforcement efforts to improve safety in Chicago and other Illinois communities.

Texas National Guard troops arrived in Illinois on Tuesday, tasked with protecting federal personnel and assets amid anti-immigration protests, the Pentagon confirmed. A Pentagon official said 200 Guardsmen had been mobilized for an initial period of 60 days.

Pritzker, a 2028 Democratic presidential candidate and staunch critic of President Donald Trump, condemned the National Guard deployment, calling it a “Trump invasion” and calling on Abbott to withdraw his support. He also threatened to withdraw from the National Governors Association if the bipartisan group does not condemn the deployment.

ABBOTT DEPLOYS ‘ELITE TEXAS NATIONAL GUARD’ AFTER TRUMP’S CALL FOR REINFORCEMENTS: ‘ALWAYS READY’

Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, left, criticized Democratic Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, right, for resisting his deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago. (Joshua Comins/Fox News Photo; Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images)

The state of Illinois, joined by the city of Chicago, also filed a lawsuit in federal court to try to stop the deployment.

Speaking to Fox News Digital, Abbott said Pritzker’s actions violated the US Constitution.

“You may recall that not long ago he placed his left hand on a Bible, raised his right hand and swore to God that he would support the Constitution of the United States instead of supporting it and allowing federal officials to enforce federal law. He is violating the Constitution, violating the oath he took by interfering with the ability of federal officials to direct the executive branch of the federal government,” said Abbott.

PRITZKER SUES TRUMP TO BLOCK NATIONAL GUARD ACTION IN ILLINOIS

Texas National Guard troops gather at the Army Reserve Training Center in Elwood, Illinois, October 7, 2025. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

He said it was “completely natural” for Trump to call on his “elite National Guard to provide aid anywhere across the country” because of Texas soldiers’ extensive experience securing the southern border.

“Texas has the most battle-tested, numerous and well-trained National Guard in the United States of America,” he said. “Americans will remember that thousands of members of our National Guard secured more than 1,200 miles of the U.S. border, the largest border state in the entire country. And it’s Texas, unlike the federal government under the Biden administration, that has had to step up and secure the border.

“Now, because we have a president who is finally enforcing the laws of the United States… it is only natural, by extension, that if there is a need for this elite National Guard to provide assistance anywhere throughout the country, it is the National Guard that will be called upon,” he added.

Although Pritzker denounced the deployment as an “invasion,” Abbott made clear that his troops’ presence in the state is strictly intended to provide support to federal officials who have recently faced intense opposition from Illinois agitators.

“They play a very important backup role at the Texas Department of Public Safety. Right now, they play a very important backup role in keeping federal officials safe while federal officials are enforcing federal law in places like Illinois, Oregon and elsewhere,” he explained. “There’s unrest in areas where ICE is trying to operate and where ICE is trying to enforce the law. And what ICE or other federal officials need, they need safety and security in carrying out their duties.

WHITE HOUSE MOCKS ‘SLOB’ PRITZKER AFTER HE REJECTS TRUMP’S NATIONAL GUARD PLAN

Federal law enforcement officers confront protesters demonstrating outside an immigrant processing center Saturday in Broadview, Illinois. A protester allegedly threatened to kill federal agents. (Getty Images)

“It is very important that the public understands that these federal officials have an obligation to enforce federal law. Anyone who interferes with that harms the ability of federal officials to do their jobs.

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“What the National Guard is trained and competent to do is deal with civil unrest like this,” Abbott said. “Whenever the country is going through tough times, Texans will step up and help in any way they can.”

Fox News Digital reached out to Pritzker’s office for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Alexandra Koch and Patrick McGovern of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.