Attorney General Pam Bondi tore into Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) during a Tuesday morning hearing, squaring off with the Illinois lawmaker over President Donald Trump’s plan to send National Guard troops into the city of Chicago to protect federal employees and property.
Durbin raised the question, noting that members of the Texas National Guard had been tapped to deploy to Chicago, and suggested that it wasn’t necessary despite dangerous clashes between protesters and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
“The word is, and I think it’s been confirmed by the White House, they’re going to transfer Texas National Guard units to the state of Illinois,” Durbin prompted. “What’s the rationale for that?”
WATCH:
.@AGPamBondi TORCHES @SenatorDurbin:
“I wish you loved Chicago as much as you hate President Trump…The National Guard are on the way to Chicago. If you’re not going to protect your citizens, President Trump will.” pic.twitter.com/zHIvLYkWmm
— Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) October 7, 2025
“Chairman, as you shut down the government, you voted to shut down the government and you’re sitting here, our law enforcement officers aren’t being paid, they’re out there working to protect you,” Bondi replied. “I wish you loved Chicago as much as you hate President Trump.”
“Currently the National Guard are on the way to Chicago. If you’re not going to protect your citizens, President Trump will,” she added.
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Bondi went on to explain why additional resources were necessary, particularly in Chicago, saying, “Your city has a murder rate five times higher than New York’s — 571 homicides last year. If you were serious about protecting your people, you would be asking this administration for help.”
WATCH:
“Your city has a murder rate five times higher than New. York’s — 571 homicides last year,” says @AGPamBondi to the insufferable @SenatorDurbin on the National Guard in Chicago.
“We’re there to help make America safe and Illinois safe — whether or not you want to.” pic.twitter.com/qgbZIryITP
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 7, 2025
“You’re saying that we’re coming into your state and your city?” Bondi pushed back, noting the static the Trump administration was getting from both Governor JB Pritzker (D-IL) and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. “We’re there to help make America safe and Illinois safe — whether or not you want to.”