The Texas Military Department confirmed on Tuesday that seven National Guard members deployed by the Trump administration to Illinois amid major anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protests and violence have been replaced due to the seven service members failing to meet mission requirements. The confirmation comes amid concerns of National Guard fitness standards.
According to Fox News, the Pentagon confirmed that roughly 200 Texas National Guard troops were deployed on October 7 to Illinois as part of a 60-day mission to protect federal law enforcement officials and federal property amid the anti-ICE protests. However, a Texas Military Department spokesperson noted that the Texas National Guard replaced seven of the National Guard members after the members failed to meet mission requirements during the pre-mission validation process.
The replacement of the seven National Guard troops comes after a viral photo showed multiple service members arriving in Illinois. The picture led many social media users to question the service members’ physical fitness due to their “overweight” appearance.
In a statement released last Thursday, the National Guard Bureau said, “All National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are required to meet service-specific height, weight and physical fitness standards at all times.”
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“When mobilizing for active duty, members go through a validation process to ensure they meet requirements,” the National Guard Bureau added. “On the rare occasions when members are found not in compliance, they will not go on mission. They will be returned to their home station, and replacements who do meet standards will take their places.”
Sharing a screenshot of the National Guard Bureau’s statement, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth tweeted, “Standards are back at the @DeptofWar.”
Fox News reported that Hegseth previously announced in September that the Department of War would require U.S. service members to meet the highest male standards for physical fitness under the Trump administration.
A Texas Military Department spokesperson told Fox News, “The Texas National Guard echoes Secretary [of War Pete] Hegseth’s message to the force: ‘Our standards will be high, uncompromising, and clear.'”
According to Fox News, a federal judge ruled over the weekend that the National Guard troops deployed by the Trump administration can remain in Illinois but are not allowed to patrol or protect federal property in the state.
