US judge blocks Trump’s deployment of National Guard in Illinois
A federal judge in Chicago on Thursday temporarily halted U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to deploy hundreds of National Guard troops in Illinois, marking the second legal challenge in less than a week against similar federal interventions in Democratic-led states. The decision came just five days after another court blocked Trump’s proposed deployment in Portland, Oregon.
U.S. District Judge April Perry issued the order after hearing over two hours of arguments between lawyers representing the U.S. government and the state of Illinois. In her remarks, Perry stated that sending federal troops into the state would likely “add fuel to the fire” rather than calm tensions, citing evidence that protests in the area had remained largely peaceful.
The state of Illinois had sued the Trump administration, arguing that the deployment was unconstitutional and unnecessary. The federal government maintained that the National Guard was needed to protect federal property and personnel amid ongoing demonstrations.
The legal dispute reflects growing tension between the White House and Democratic state leaders who have accused the president of exaggerating threats of violence to justify military intervention in domestic affairs. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and other state officials argued that the situation in the Chicago area did not constitute an emergency requiring military involvement.
Judge Perry appeared skeptical of the federal government’s arguments, noting that demonstrations near a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Broadview had been mostly peaceful. She referenced another Chicago court’s ruling issued the same day that temporarily limited federal agents’ use of force against protesters and journalists.
“The behavior of ICE officers has prompted the protests,” Perry said from the bench, “and deploying National Guard soldiers to Broadview would only add fuel to the fire that defendants themselves have started.”
Her injunction is set to remain in effect until at least October 23. The White House quickly vowed to appeal.