Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has said the Trump administration will buy more buildings in Chicago for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials.
During a cabinet meeting on Thursday, Noem said more buildings were purchased "to operate out of."
"We’re purchasing more buildings in Chicago to operate out of,” Noem said to President Trump during the meeting. “We’re going to not back off. In fact, we’re doubling down and we’re going to be in more parts of Chicago in response to the people there.”
“I was there a few days ago and looked at some facilities that we can deploy more law enforcement out of," Noem said. "Because what they’re trying to do with these riots and violence is distract us and keep us from going after those murderers and rapists that are out on the streets."
While Noem did not specify which buildings will be bought by the administration, she told ICE officials and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents at the immigration processing facility in Broadview, Ill., on Friday, "We're going to try to buy that building today," while pointing at a building nearby, the Chicago Tribune reported.
The Hill has reached out to DHS for comment.
Trump recently directed around 300 members of the Illinois National Guard and 400 federalized Texas National Guard members to be sent to Chicago, Portland, Ore., and possibly other cities across the country “where needed,” according to a memorandum filed Sunday in Oregon’s lawsuit. But U.S. District Judge April Perry on Thursday blocked the president from federalizing National Guard members across Illinois. Perry's temporary restraining order ends on Oct. 23.
Trump's orders have led to a war of words with Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D), who Trump said "should be in jail."
“I will not back down. Trump is now calling for the arrest of elected representatives checking his power. What else is left on the path to full-blown authoritarianism?” Pritzker wrote in post directed at the president on X.
Source: The Hill - News
