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Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott mocked Illinois Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker, calling him a “joke” for opposing his deployment of Texas National Guard troops to provide security over immigration enforcement operations in Chicago.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Abbott said, “Gov. Pritzker is a joke” and is in “violation of 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 property amid anti-immigration protests, the Pentagon confirmed. A Pentagon official said 200 guardsmen were mobilized for an initial 60-day period.
Pritzker, a rumored 2028 Democratic presidential candidate and fierce critic of President Donald Trump, has condemned the National Guard deployment, calling it “Trump’s invasion,” and calling on Abbott to withdraw his support. He has also threatened to pull out from the National Governors’ Association if the bipartisan group does not condemn the deployment.
ABBOTT DEPLOYS ‘ELITE TEXAS NATIONAL GUARD’ AFTER TRUMP CALLS FOR REINFORCEMENTS: ‘EVER READY’
Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, left, criticized Illinois Democratic Gov. J.B. 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 in an attempt to stop the deployment.
Speaking with Fox News Digital, Abbott said that Pritzker’s actions are in violation of the U.S. Constitution.
“You may recall it wasn’t too long ago that he put his left hand on a bible and raised his right hand and swore to God that he would support the Constitution of the United States. As opposed to supporting it and allowing federal officials to enforce federal law, he’s…
