Reason why Trump has mobilized 1,700 National Guard soldiers in 19 states

Donald Trump is moving forward with major plans involving the National Guard, announcing that 1,700 troops will be activated and sent to several states in the coming months.

The deployment will last from August through mid-November, with Texas receiving the largest presence. Other states include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming.

A Pentagon official confirmed the decision, noting that the Guard’s role will include deterring crime and assisting federal agencies. They declined to speculate about future deployments but emphasized ongoing planning with other agencies to secure federal assets and personnel.

The main mission of these soldiers will be to support ICE and the Department of Homeland Security. Trump has consistently highlighted his tough stance on crime and illegal immigration, framing this move as a continuation of his policies.

Their tasks will include logistical and administrative support, such as case management, transportation, data collection, fingerprinting, DNA swabbing, and photographing individuals in ICE custody.

The move follows Trump’s praise of National Guard efforts in Washington, D.C., where he claimed their deployment was successful. He suggested other cities, like Chicago, could be targeted next. “When we’re ready, we’ll straighten out Chicago, just like we did D.C.,” he told reporters.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson rejected the idea, saying there had been no official communication from the White House and calling Trump’s approach “uncoordinated, uncalled for, and unsound.”