Senator Tammy Duckworth Critiques Trump’s Deployment of Troops in U.S. Cities

Senator Tammy Duckworth Critiques Trump’s Deployment of Troops in U.S. Cities

One of the proudest moments in my life was when I first laced up my boots, donned my uniform, and raised my right hand to swear my oath to the Constitution as a member of the Illinois Army National Guard. I relished every day I got to wake up and identify myself as a United States soldier. It is precisely because I hold our military in such high regard that I refuse to allow a five-time draft-dodging individual to manipulate it for his own gain and to the detriment of our country.

At Quantico last week, President Donald Trump — the same individual attempting to rebrand the Pentagon as the ‘Department of War’ — informed top military leaders of his desires to use American cities as training grounds for our troops. This alarming notion raises serious concerns.

The commander in chief intends for members of the Department of War to train against the very citizens they have sworn to protect. Last month, he proclaimed that Chicago would ‘find out why it’s called the Department of WAR.’ Recently, he has taken steps to implement his threats, forcing hundreds of National Guardsmen into Chicago.

Fabricated Claims Justify Unwanted Troops

For months, Trump has fabricated stories of chaos and crime on American streets to justify his absurd claims of a need to deploy troops into our cities, all against the wishes of local officials. First, they moved into Los Angeles, then Washington, D.C. Now, he is also considering deploying troops to Portland. Just this past weekend, a federal judge appointed by Trump blocked his efforts in Portland on two occasions, stating that the justifications for their deployment were ‘untethered to facts.’

In clearer terms, that means he is not telling the truth.

Within just a week in Chicago, we witnessed Trump’s agents detain innocent individuals, deny citizens their legal rights, zip-tie children, arrest elected officials, ransack apartments, and harm journalists. Recently, they shot two individuals, leaving one — a father of two young children — dead. Trump’s administration has made dubious claims regarding their use of lethal force.

Targeting Cities That Resist

It is evident that Trump is targeting cities that dare to resist him — those willing to describe the president for what he truly is: a wannabe emperor lacking courage and a moral compass. Presently, he is focusing on blue cities with his fabrications. If these deployments go unchecked, there will be nothing to stop him or any future president from deploying troops anywhere, for any fabricated reason.

National Guard’s Role Misconstrued

Let’s make it clear: Ordering our troops to intimidate the very citizens they protect does nothing to enhance national security. Policing Americans in their communities is not the National Guard’s responsibility. They lack the authority to make arrests, and they are not sufficiently trained to handle police duties in urban settings. These deployments represent yet another unjust move from Trump straight out of an authoritarian playbook, further jeopardizing civil rights while diverting our troops from their core mission of safeguarding families from genuine threats.

Trump’s actions are not about law and order. If this 34-time convicted felon truly cared for civic order, he would not blatantly disregard coordination with state and local officials. Instead of empowering our troops to carry out training missions, he persists in using them for his own purposes. Moreover, he wouldn’t undermine the police by freezing and cutting federal funds essential for hiring, training, and equipping law enforcement.

This behavior is irresponsible. Rather than supporting proven strategies that reduce violence and crime, Trump has chosen to escalate tensions.

Taxpayer Dollars Used for Intimidation

In a time when our nation faces significant challenges, Trump is squandering millions of taxpayer dollars to instill fear in law-abiding citizens and legal residents merely exercising their First Amendment rights. He is misappropriating federal resources away from crucial operations such as investigating drug cartels and tracking terrorist threats, all to create an atmosphere of intimidation.

As I drove past the National Guardsmen mobilized on my way to work, I felt a pang of sympathy for them. They raised their right hands and took an oath to serve, not to assist a draft dodger in escaping both wars and his personal scandals.

These servicemen and women signed up to defend every American’s right to free speech, not to stifle it. They volunteered to risk their lives for this country, not to uphold one individual’s ego.

A Nationwide Stance Against Unjust Deployments

Los Angeles never requested such intervention. Washington, D.C. did not seek military presence. Portland did not ask for troops, and neither did Chicago. Our servicemen and women deserve better than to be used in this manner. With deep respect for our military, I refuse to remain silent while it faces disrespect and exploitation from someone who never found the courage to serve.

I cannot allow him to continue disrespecting our troops, removing them from their families and essential missions, all while eroding the trust they have earned from the American public over generations.

While I may no longer wear the Army uniform, it remains a proud symbol in my Senate office. My time beneath the great Capitol Dome illustrates my ongoing commitment to our nation’s safety. My core mission remains unchanged since my time in the National Guard: to ensure America remains strong and safe for all.

If only Donald Trump shared that same commitment.