Members of the Texas National Guard have arrived in Illinois, assembling at an Army training center in Elwood, just outside of Chicago. The deployment, directed by the Trump administration, represents a significant development that has drawn national attention. The troops from Texas are currently staging in the area as the situation unfolds.

The arrival comes after a legal effort by the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois to prevent the deployment. Officials filed a lawsuit to block the troops from entering the state, but a judge declined the request. This court decision cleared the way for the mobilization to proceed, leading to the current presence of the Guard members.

This action is part of a wider effort by the administration to deploy National Guard troops to several Democrat-led cities. Reports indicate the deployment to Illinois is connected to protests that have occurred in response to a surge in ICE activity in the Chicago area. Similar situations and legal challenges have also been noted in other cities, such as Portland, Oregon.

In response to the federal action, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has released a formal statement regarding the out-of-state troops being deployed to Illinois. With approximately 200 Texas National Guard troops set to be in the region, local and state officials continue to monitor the deployment as it develops.

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Plus: Global Developments: Geopolitical Tensions, Market Volatility, and Technological Advances, and more.

US Politics & Government

Amid a US government shutdown, President Donald Trump has labeled Democrats "insurrectionists" and criticized their "kamikaze attacks." He suggested using the 1807 Insurrection Act to deploy federal troops to cities, a move which grants presidents broad authority for domestic military use and is an exception to the Posse Comitatus Act. The threat has heightened conflict with Democratic-led cities (Axios, Axios).

The shutdown is causing other disruptions, with the announcement of the 2026 Social Security COLA expected to be delayed (Reuters). The White House has also suggested that furloughed federal workers may not be entitled to backpay, a stance that has sparked bipartisan opposition in Congress, where many lawmakers argue the law guarantees such payment (Axios).

In other government news, six former U.S. surgeons general from both parties co-authored an op-ed warning that policy changes by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., particularly regarding vaccines and research, are "endangering the nation's health" by prioritizing ideology over science (Axios). Meanwhile, a Department of Veterans Affairs staffer is under scrutiny for approving 85,000 disability claims between 2022 and 2024 at a rate 20 times faster than normal. This led to widespread errors, causing veterans to be underpaid, overpaid, or have claims missed entirely, which the VA is now working to correct (Task & Purpose).

The Supreme Court heard a challenge to Colorado's ban on "conversion therapy" for minors. A Christian counselor argues the law violates her free speech rights by restricting conversations with youth about gender identity or sexual orientation. The court appeared skeptical of the ban, and a ruling expected this summer could impact similar laws in over 20 states (Axios, Insider Paper).

Global Conflicts and Diplomacy

Two years after the October 7, 2023, attack, efforts continue to resolve the conflict in Gaza. On the war's anniversary, Hamas stated its readiness for a deal, though conditions persist (Reuters). Currently, 48 hostages remain in Gaza, including 20 who are alive and 28 who are deceased, with their bodies held. Among the deceased are two U.S. citizens. Hamas reportedly rejected a deal based on President Trump's 20-Point Plan (Fox News).

Diplomatic activity is ramping up, with Qatar's Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, set to join peace talks in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt (Insider Paper). President Trump has also dispatched envoys Geoff Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Egypt to push for a resolution, stating there is a "real chance" for a peace deal (Axios, Insider Paper). The anniversary prompted demonstrations across the UK, where thousands of students defied Prime Minister Keir Starmer's plea to avoid protests and chanted "Free Palestine" (Insider Paper). In a related event, Irish activists who were detained and expelled by Israel while attempting to deliver aid to Gaza alleged mistreatment in prison and stated they are ready to join another flotilla (Insider Paper).

In Ukraine, Russia's President Putin claims that his forces have seized almost 5,000 square kilometers of territory this year (Reuters). In response to ongoing threats, Ukraine has unveiled a new variant of its Neptune cruise missile featuring "bulges," which are likely designed to extend its range and enhance the country's domestic land-strike capabilities (The War Zone).

Elsewhere, Syria has declared a comprehensive ceasefire with Kurdish forces after President al-Sharaa met with Kurdish leader Mazloum Abdi following clashes in Aleppo. The Syrian authorities, who took power last year, rejected Kurdish demands for a decentralized government (Insider Paper). In Iran, a grenade attack on a pro-government paramilitary building in Kurdistan province killed two IRGC members, one of whom was a cleric (Insider Paper).

International Trade & Relations

Talks continue between the U.S. and its North American neighbors. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited the White House for a second time to discuss trade and the USMCA with President Trump. Trump noted that the talks have "come a long way," while Carney seeks to ease U.S. tariffs (Reuters, Insider Paper). Separately, Mexican President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum announced that Mexico is seeking a deal with the U.S. to avert potential 25% tariffs on trucks (Insider Paper).

Meanwhile, President Trump's strict immigration policies are influencing regional migration trends, with many Cuban migrants in Mexico now choosing to remain in Mexico City rather than continuing to the U.S. border (Fox News). In Asia, Taiwan's president has stated that President Trump would deserve a Nobel Prize if he could persuade China to renounce the use of force against Taiwan (Reuters).

European Political Updates

In Germany, newly-elected mayor Iris Stalzer is in critical condition and intensive care after being stabbed at her home in Herdecke. Investigators have not ruled out family involvement, and her children have been questioned (Fox News, Reuters). In France, President Emmanuel Macron is facing growing pressure from allies, including his former prime minister, to resign in order to resolve the country's political deadlock in what is being called the worst domestic crisis of his presidency (Insider Paper). In Denmark, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced plans to introduce a social media ban for children under 15, though specific details about its implementation have not yet been released (Insider Paper).

Defense & Technology

The U.S. Navy's selection for its next-generation F/A-XX fighter jet is reported to be imminent. The decision, approved by War Secretary Pete Hegseth, will name either Boeing or Northrop Grumman as the winner to replace the F/A-18 Super Hornet (The War Zone, Breaking Defense).

The nature of modern warfare is also evolving due to uncrewed aerial systems (UAS). To protect warfighters, counter-UAS systems must adapt quickly through enhanced testing and evaluation. Solutions like drone-defense-as-a-service are being developed by experts like Amentum's Tim Saffold (Breaking Defense). In Ukraine, Thales' 70mm laser-guided rockets, equipped with airburst warheads that disperse steel pellets, are being used against Shahed drones from both air and ground platforms (The War Zone).

In the technology sector, Chinese chipmakers have purchased $38 billion worth of semiconductor manufacturing tools from the U.S. and its allies (Reuters). Driven by strong demand for AI servers, Dell has increased its four-year growth targets (Reuters). The defense sector is projected to account for only nine percent of satellites launched between 2024 and 2035 but will represent 48 percent of the total market value (Breaking Defense). In aviation, the Airbus A320 has officially surpassed the Boeing 737 to become the most-delivered jetliner in history (Reuters).

Economy & Markets

Wall Street has pulled back from recent record highs due to economic jitters (Reuters). The decline was influenced by a New York Fed report indicating increasing concerns about the condition of the job market (Reuters). Despite this, global stocks and gold rose on Tuesday, nearing fresh highs as investors weighed the impacts of the U.S. government shutdown, French political turmoil, and a boom in AI investment, which was boosted by a major new partnership involving ChatGPT (Insider Paper).

Today's VA Mortgage Rates

15-Year VA Loan Rates:

• Navy Federal Credit Union: 4.875%

30-Year VA Loan Rates:

• Navy Federal Credit Union: 5.375%
• Veterans United Home Loans: 5.500% (as of October 7th, 2025)
• Wells Fargo: 5.625%
• Bankrate (National Average VA Refinance): 7.81%

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