#TalkRadio – October 7: President Trump’s ICE Forces Terrorize Chicago’s South Side: Fighting Racial Injustice and Restoring Constitutional Order

INTRODUCTION:

Hi Igniters For Change! The Igniting Change Radio Show on Tuesday, October 7th, 2025, from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Eastern Time, entitled “President Trump’s ICE Forces Terrorize Chicago’s South Side: Fighting Racial Injustice and Restoring Constitutional Order”, will be live with Radio Show Co-Hosts and Transformative Justice Coalition (TJC) Co-Leaders Attorneys Barbara Arnwine, Esq. and Daryl Jones, Esq. and will feature special guests Congressman Jonathan Jackson and Rev. Ciera Bates Chamberlain.

Since September 8th, 2025, Chicago has been the epicenter of Operation Midway Blitz, a federal immigration enforcement campaign launched by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under President Donald Trump. The operation was named after a Chicago woman killed in a hit-and-run by an undocumented immigrant and has involved aggressive tactics including midnight raids, flashbang grenades, and aerial deployments using Black Hawk helicopters (Schmall, 2025, USA Today, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/10/03/chicago-area-immigration-raids-dhs/86497161007/). On September 30th, federal agents raided a predominantly African-American South Shore apartment building, zip-tying children as young as five and detaining residents without warrants. DHS claimed the building was frequented by members of the Tren de Aragua gang, but local officials and civil rights groups disputed the necessity and legality of the operation (ABC7 Chicago, 2025, ABC7 Chicago, https://abc7chicago.com/post/ice-chicago-federal-agents-surround-south-shore-apartment-building-dhs-requests-military-deployment-illinois/17908911/). Out of the 37 arrests, only two people arrested had any gang-affiliation whatsoever and NONE have been shown to be affiliated with the Tren de Aragua gang.

On October 5th, 2025, Congressman Jonathan Jackson led a delegation of federal lawmakers to the South Shore apartment building in Chicago that had been raided by ICE agents days earlier. Jackson condemned the raid as “terrorizing,” describing how residents—including children and elderly individuals—were zip-tied and thrown to the ground without warning. He emphasized that the operation lacked transparency and accountability, stating, “This is not law enforcement. This is a military operation on civilians.” Jackson was joined by Reps. Chuy García, Delia Ramirez, and Jan Schakowsky, all of whom echoed concerns about the militarized nature of the raid and its impact on immigrant communities. The lawmakers called for immediate federal oversight and demanded that DHS halt further operations until a full investigation is completed. Jackson also pledged to introduce legislation that would require federal agents to notify local governments before conducting enforcement actions in residential areas (Yin, 2025, Chicago Sun-Times, https://chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/2025/10/05/congress-members-rally-south-shore-apartment-ice-raid).

On October 4th, a woman named Marimar Martinez was shot by Border Patrol agents in the Brighton Park neighborhood after allegedly ramming her vehicle into federal agents and brandishing a semi-automatic weapon. DHS labeled her a “domestic terrorist” and claimed she had previously doxxed agents online. Martinez was hospitalized, then taken into FBI custody and charged with assaulting federal officers (Schmall, 2025, USA Today, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/10/05/chicago-shooting-protests-broadview-ice/86535431007/). The incident sparked protests outside the ICE facility in Broadview, where federal agents deployed tear gas and pepper balls. Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling confirmed that 27 CPD officers were affected by chemical agents and denied claims that his department had refused to assist federal agents (CBS News Chicago, 2025, CBS News Chicago, https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/federal-agents-shoot-woman-broadview-ice-facility/).

On October 5th, Pablo Manríquez posted on Twitter/X about an incident in Southside Chicago where, without any violence, “Windy City residents run off immigration agents to save a man mid-abduction at 63rd and Kostner Ave.” For more of his  immigration coverage, subscribe at http://migrantinsider.com. (View full video and see more: https://x.com/PabloReports/status/1974882303211192750 )

The Trump administration authorized the deployment of 700 National Guard troops—300 from Illinois and 400 from Texas—to support federal immigration agents in Chicago. On October 5th, 2025, Texas Governor Greg Abbott publicly authorized President Donald Trump to deploy 400 members of the Texas National Guard to cities outside the state, including Chicago, to “ensure safety for federal officials.” Abbott’s announcement followed a direct request from the White House, which cited escalating threats to federal property and personnel amid ongoing protests and immigration enforcement clashes. Abbott posted on X, “The elite Texas National Guard. Ever ready. Deploying now,” signaling full cooperation with Trump’s federalization plan (Abbott, 2025, MSN News, https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/abbott-deploys-elite-texas-national-guard-after-trump-calls-for-reinforcements-ever-ready/ar-AA1NZCcU). He added that states must “either fully enforce protection for federal employees or get out of the way and let the Texas Guard do it,” defending the move as necessary to uphold national security.

President Trump’s deployment order came amid mounting resistance from Democratic governors, including Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who condemned the action as an “unconstitutional invasion.” Trump bypassed state objections by invoking federal authority under Title 10, and hinted at invoking the Insurrection Act if legal challenges continued to obstruct troop movements. According to a memo signed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the deployment is “effective immediately for an initial period of 60 days,” with potential extensions in cities like Portland and Chicago (Texas Tribune, 2025, Texas Tribune, https://www.texastribune.org/2025/10/05/greg-abbott-trump-texas-national-guard/). On October 5th, 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsom publicly condemned President Trump’s decision to deploy 300 California National Guard troops to Oregon, calling it “a breathtaking abuse of the law and power.” Newsom stated that the troops had been federalized months earlier over his objections and were now being used as “political pawns” in defiance of a federal court order that had blocked the deployment of Oregon’s own Guard. He pledged to sue the Trump administration, asserting that “the commander-in-chief is using the U.S. military as a political weapon against American citizens,” and urged the public not to remain silent in the face of what he described as “reckless and authoritarian conduct” (Newsom, 2025, Office of the Governor of California, https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/10/05/governor-newsom-to-sue-urges-americans-to-speak-out-on-trumps-breathtaking-abuse-of-power-with-cross-state-guard-deployment/).

Despite ongoing lawsuits from Illinois and Oregon, federal officials confirmed that Texas troops were already in transit to Chicago as of October 6th, with 200 soldiers expected to arrive by midweek (MSN News, 2025, MSN News, https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/texas-national-guard-is-headed-to-chicago-lawyers-say/ar-AA1NYwEl).

The deployment of the National Gaurd to Chicago prompted Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to file a federal lawsuit on October 6th, arguing that the deployment violates the Posse Comitatus Act and exceeds presidential authority under 10 U.S.C. § 12406, which allows federalization of the Guard only in cases of rebellion or invasion (Raymond & Knauth, 2025, Reuters, https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/illinois-sues-to-halt-trump-s-deployment-of-national-guard-but-troops-on-the-way/ar-AA1NYKJF). The lawsuit also invokes the 10th Amendment, asserting that the federal government is infringing on Illinois’s sovereign right to control its own law enforcement and National Guard (Illinois Attorney General, 2025, Office of the Attorney General, https://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/news/story/attorney-general-raoul-files-lawsuit-against-trump-administration-to-stop-unlawful-deployment-of-national-guard). The lawsuit also cites Trump’s social media posts, including one on September 6th where he wrote, “Chicago about to find out why it’s called the Department of WAR,” and another where he declared, “I love the smell of deportations in the morning” (Schmall, 2025, USA Today, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/10/05/chicago-shooting-protests-broadview-ice/86535431007/ ).

On October 6th, 2025, during an emergency court session held in response to the lawsuit filed earlier that same day by the Illinois Attorney General and the City of Chicago, U.S. District Judge April M. Perry declined to immediately block the deployment of National Guard troops but set oral arguments for October 9th at 11:00 a.m. (USA Today, 2025, USA Today, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/10/06/texas-illinois-national-guard-headed-to-chicago/86553931007/).  She expressed concern over the administration’s lack of clarity regarding troop locations and objectives, urging the federal government to pause deployments until the hearing (Bloomberg News, 2025, Bloomberg, https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/judge-won-t-immediately-block-trump-troop-deployment-to-illinois/ar-AA1NX6rM). President Trump has continued threatening to invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807, which would allow him to bypass state objections and deploy active-duty military forces for domestic law enforcement. He stated on October 6th that he would do so “if people were being killed and courts were holding us up” (Goodman, 2025, ABC News, https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/news/story/illinois-files-lawsuit-block-deployment-national-guard-126253079). Legal experts warn that invoking the Insurrection Act would suspend the Posse Comitatus Act and set a precedent for federal militarization of cities under vague or politically motivated pretexts (Raymond & Knauth, 2025, Reuters, https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/illinois-becomes-latest-battleground-in-court-fights-over-trump-s-use-of-national-guard/ar-AA1NYtsL). Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul emphasized that there is no insurrection or rebellion in Illinois and that the federal government is fully capable of enforcing its laws without military intervention (Illinois Attorney General, 2025, Office of the Attorney General, https://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/news/story/attorney-general-raoul-files-lawsuit-against-trump-administration-to-stop-unlawful-deployment-of-national-guard ).

In response to the escalating federal presence, Mayor Johnson signed an executive order on October 6th declaring all city-owned properties—including school parking lots, libraries, and vacant lots—as “ICE-Free Zones.” The order prohibits federal immigration agents from using these spaces for staging or enforcement operations and encourages private property owners to deny access unless agents present a valid warrant (City of Chicago, 2025, Office of the Mayor, https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/mayor/press_room/press_releases/2025/october/city-property-executive-order.html).

Community organizations such as the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights have mobilized rapid response teams and legal hotlines to support affected residents. On October 3rd alone, the coalition received over 800 calls—its highest daily volume this year—indicating widespread fear and confusion among immigrant communities (WTTW News, 2025, WTTW Chicago, https://news.wttw.com/2025/10/06/chicago-community-groups-say-expected-troop-deployment-will-heighten-fears-create-chaos). Meanwhile, federal agents have been accused of making false 911 calls to drain local police resources and deploying chemical agents near schools and businesses, prompting further investigations by city officials (Newsweek, 2025, Newsweek, https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/ice-accidentally-tear-gases-chicago-police-during-clash-with-protesters/ar-AA1NWfzw).

The situation intensified when federal prosecutors announced the arrest of Juan Espinoza Martinez, a suspected leader of the Latin Kings gang, who allegedly placed a $10,000 bounty on Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino. Martinez was charged with murder-for-hire after investigators traced Snapchat messages offering payment to “take him down” (Department of Homeland Security, 2025, DHS, https://www.dhs.gov/news/2025/10/06/latin-kings-gang-member-arrested-illinois-after-placing-hit-commander-large-border).

As of October 7th, the legal battle over troop deployment continues, with oral arguments scheduled for October 9th. The broader implications of Operation Midway Blitz—including its constitutionality, impact on civil liberties, and precedent for federal militarization—remain under intense scrutiny. Civil rights groups have filed parallel lawsuits alleging excessive force and First Amendment violations during protests (Leavitt, 2025, MSN News, https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/chicago-and-illinois-sue-to-stop-trump-s-guard-deployment-plan-after-portland-ruling/ar-AA1NZhFp). For example, the ACLU of Illinois filed a separate lawsuit on October 7th alleging that federal agents used excessive force—including tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash grenades—against peaceful protesters and journalists outside the ICE facility in Broadview, violating First Amendment rights (Leavitt, 2025, MSN News, https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/chicago-and-illinois-sue-to-stop-trump-s-guard-deployment-plan-after-portland-ruling/ar-AA1NZhFp ).

The federal government has until midnight on October 9th to respond to Illinois’s request for a temporary restraining order. If granted, the order would halt troop deployments for two weeks while the court considers a longer-lasting injunction (JD Journal, 2025, JD Journal, https://www.jdjournal.com/2025/10/06/illinois-launches-legal-challenge-to-trumps-plan-to-deploy-national-guard-in-chicago/ ).

What is particularly concerning about what’s happening in Chicago is it is reflective of the President’s threats about his perceived enemies within during the unprecedented meeting of top military brass last week: President Donald Trump’s direct quote from his September 30th, 2025 speech at Marine Corps Base Quantico:

“I told Pete, we should use some of these dangerous cities as training grounds for our military, National Guard, but military, because we’re going into Chicago very soon.”
— President Donald Trump, Sept. 30, 2025, Marine Corps Base Quantico

This remark was made during a closed-door address to nearly 800 senior military officials, including generals and admirals. Trump was referring to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and framed the proposal as part of a broader domestic security strategy. He also described cities like Portland, Los Angeles, and Chicago as “war zones” and emphasized the need to “handle the enemy from within before it gets out of control” (Sfondeles, 2025, NPR Illinois, https://www.nprillinois.org/chicago-il/2025-09-30/trump-floats-using-chicago-other-democrat-led-cities-as-military-training-ground-troops-coming-very-soon).

Proposed Questions

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