The Texas Military Department (TMD) told Fox News Digital Tuesday it substituted seven National Guard personnel deployed to Illinois because of civil disturbances, stating the troops did not fulfill “mission requirements.”
Roughly 200 Texas National Guard troops were sent to Illinois Oct. 7 for a 60-day assignment to safeguard federal staff and holdings amid anti-immigration demonstrations, the Pentagon previously verified.
During pre-deployment validation, the Texas National Guard found and replaced seven personnel who didn’t meet mission criteria, according to a TMD representative.
The affected Guardsmen went back to their home base, but the department didn’t detail why they were removed.
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The announcement follows a viral photo on social media showing a group of service members arriving in Illinois, prompting speculation about their readiness.
“The Texas National Guard supports Secretary [of War Pete] Hegseth’s message: ‘Our standards will be high, uncompromising, and clear,'” a TMD spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
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Hegseth stated in September that troops in combat roles should meet the top physical fitness standards for males.
Department officials didn’t verify if the personnel in the viral image were the same Guardsmen removed from the assignment.
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A federal judge decided Saturday that National Guard troops can remain in Illinois but can’t patrol or secure federal property.
The ruling came after the Trump administration requested the lifting of a previous block on deployment. The temporary restraining order keeps the troops there pending additional court arguments.
Fox News Digital’s Brie Stimson helped with this report.
