Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, a Republican, criticized President Trump’s decision to deploy Texas National Guard troops to Illinois, arguing it violated states’ rights principles. Stitt, who serves as chair of the National Governors Association (NGA), addressed the issue in an interview, highlighting his concerns about federal overreach.
Stitt stated he was surprised by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s action, noting that he and Abbott had previously challenged the Biden administration over mandates requiring vaccination and mask-wearing for soldiers. “As a federalist believer, one governor against another governor, I don’t think that’s the right way to approach this,” he said.
The deployment involved approximately 200 Texas National Guard members and 300 Illinois National Guard troops in the Chicago area. Stitt expressed support for Trump’s broader goals of maintaining “law and order” and protecting ICE agents but warned about the precedent set by such actions. He emphasized that Oklahoma would strongly object if a Democratic governor deployed troops to his state under a different administration.
Abbott defended the move, stating the Texas National Guard was prepared to ensure federal law enforcement safety. The Trump administration cited the need to protect ICE agents from protests as justification for the deployments.
Stitt’s remarks mark the first public criticism of the strategy from a sitting Republican governor. Democratic leaders, including Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, have opposed the use of National Guard troops in cities, with some threatening legal action. Stitt dismissed calls for the NGA to condemn the deployments, citing the organization’s tax-exempt status.
