A federal judge has halted Trump’s plan to send National Guard troops to Illinois for two weeks. The judge ruled that the administration did not show any immediate threat of rebellion. The decision marks a significant setback to the White House’s escalating use of military force during its ongoing immigration crackdown.
Court Suspends Troop Deployment in Chicago
A federal judge on Thursday issued a two-week injunction halting the Trump administration’s plan to send National Guard troops into the Chicago area. The ruling found no substantial evidence to justify invoking federal emergency powers, concluding that Illinois faces no “danger of rebellion” under existing law.
The decision is a significant win for Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. They have claimed that the administration misused presidential power to promote a political agenda. The court determined that the deployment violated both the 10th Amendment, which protects state sovereignty, and the 14th Amendment, which ensures due process and equal protection under the law.
Troops Already Stationed in Illinois
The legal challenge emerged as National Guard members from Texas and Illinois began arriving at an Army Reserve facility southwest of Chicago earlier in the week. Roughly 500 personnel under U.S. Northern Command were activated for 60 days, with some already stationed near a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Broadview.
Officials confirmed that several troops spent Wednesday night outside the ICE building, where they have been patrolling behind temporary fencing amid occasional confrontations between protesters and federal agents. Justice Department lawyers maintained that the Guard’s mission was limited to protecting federal property and officers, not policing local crime.
Judge Cites Lack of Evidence of “Rebellion”
During Thursday’s hearing, the administration argued that the deployment was necessary to maintain order amid growing demonstrations against immigration enforcement. However, the court rejected that claim, finding no credible threat to public safety or federal operations. The judge stated that no reliable evidence supported the existence of a rebellion or insurrection in the state of Illinois.
The nearly 150-year-old Posse Comitatus Act restricts the military’s role in domestic law enforcement; however, President Trump has repeatedly suggested invoking the Insurrection Act, a rarely used statute that allows active-duty military intervention within U.S. borders, the court’s ruling curtails that effort, at least temporarily.
Temporary Restraining Order and Next Steps
The temporary restraining order is set to expire on October 23 at 11:59 p.m., pending further review. A follow-up hearing scheduled for October 22 will determine whether the order should be extended. The court noted that the Department of Homeland Security’s actions appeared motivated by “political hostility” toward Illinois officials rather than legitimate security concerns.
Democratic leaders in Illinois have argued that Trump’s troop deployments amount to political theater designed to intimidate local governments that oppose his immigration agenda. Legal analysts say Thursday’s ruling signals growing judicial skepticism over the administration’s use of military resources for civilian law enforcement.
Broader Implications and What’s Ahead
Thursday’s decision highlights an increasing national discussion about the boundaries of presidential power in domestic law enforcement. It also highlights rising tensions between the federal government and state leaders amid ongoing immigration-related unrest. Legal experts anticipate further rulings in the coming weeks as courts weigh the constitutionality of Trump’s nationwide deployments.
As the two-week order nears expiration, the administration must decide whether to appeal or scale back its operations. A broader court showdown could determine whether the president can use federalized Guard troops without state consent — a question likely to reach the Supreme Court.
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Resources:
- https://apnews.com/article/national-guard-trump-chicago-portland-court-b5d227814d775159eb9c3814779b3ae3
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2025/10/09/judge-blocks-trumps-chicago-national-guard-deployment-for-two-weeks/
- https://blog.immigrationquestion.com/news/national-guard-chicago-memphis-trump-2025/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dUvt3ZX5OQ
- https://www.fox4news.com/news/texas-national-guard-deployment-chicago-ruling
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