By ERIN HOOLEY and CHRISTINE FERNANDO Associated Press
National Guard members from Texas are at an Army Reserve center in Illinois. It's the most visible sign yet of the Trump administration's plan to deploy troops to the Chicago area despite a lawsuit and vigorous opposition from Democratic elected leaders. The Associated Press saw military personnel in uniforms with the Texas National Guard patch at the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Elwood in the far southwestern suburbs of Chicago. On Monday, Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott posted a picture on social media showing National Guard members from his state boarding a plane, but he didn't specify where they were going.
By BILL BARROW, NADIA LATHAN and MICHAEL R. BLOOD Associated Press
For the second day in a row, Texas Democrats prevented their state's House of Representatives from moving forward, at least for now, with a redrawn congressional map sought by President Donald Trump. Texas and California are at the center of a national political power struggle that could reshape Trump's second presidency. In California, the state's dominant Democrats are maneuvering to counter Trump's Texas play by boosting Democratic House seats in the liberal-leaning state. The rivalry tugging at the nation's political balance is playing out in advance of the 2026 midterm elections. The Texas map would shore up Republicans' midterm prospects as the president's political standing slumps. Texas Republicans will attempt to convene the House again on Friday.
By AMY TAXIN, LOLITA C. BALDOR and JAIMIE DING Associated Press
About 200 Marines have moved into Los Angeles to protect federal property and personnel. Some troops were seen outside a federal building by midday Friday. Maj. Gen. Scott Sherman, commander of Task Force 51 who is overseeing the 4,700 troops deployed, said the Marines have finished training on civil disturbance and would begin operations at noon local time in Los Angeles. The Marines will help replace some of the 2,000 National Guard troops that have been on the streets of the city protecting federal property since last week when immigration raids set off protests. Marines were standing guard outside a federal building in Los Angeles midday Friday.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says he has ordered the deployment of more than 5,000 Texas National Guard troops across the state, along with more than 2,000 state police. Abbott said Thursday the troops and state police will help local law enforcement manage protests against President Donald Trump and ongoing federal immigration raids. Abbott's statement does not detail where the Guard troops have been sent. Some were seen at a protest Wednesday night in downtown San Antonio. More protests are planned for Saturday in cities such as Houston, Austin and Dallas as part of the national "No Kings" movement.
