Illinois Sues Trump Administration Over National Guard Deployment to Chicago
Illinois Attorney General’s Office has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration challenging the federal government’s deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago. The suit, filed recently, names President donald Trump, homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll as defendants.
According to the filing, “The American people, nonetheless of where thay reside, should not live under the threat of occupation by the United States military, particularly not simply because their city or state leadership has fallen out of a president’s favor.” The suit argues that the Trump administration’s actions are already causing “serious and irreparable harm” to Illinois.
The legal action follows a federal judge in Oregon issuing two temporary blocks over the weekend preventing the administration from sending federalized National Guard members from California – or any other state – to Portland, Oregon. Chicago, along with Portland, is one of several Democrat-run cities and states that President Trump has targeted with federal troop deployments.
U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut, a Trump appointee, underscored the historical resistance to government overreach in one of her rulings, stating, “This country has a longstanding and foundational tradition of resistance to government overreach, especially in the form of military intrusion into civil affairs.”
The illinois lawsuit echoes thes concerns,arguing the federal deployment infringes upon the state’s sovereignty and right to self-governance,citing the tenth Amendment. The suit claims the deployment, intended to protect federal personnel and property from “violent demonstrations,” will likely exacerbate unrest, damage community relations, and erode trust in law enforcement. It also alleges potential economic harm through decreased business activity and tourism,impacting Illinois’s tax revenue.
Illinois and the city of Chicago are seeking a judicial declaration that the administration’s federalization and deployment of the National Guard - from any state – or the U.S. military within Illinois is “unconstitutional and/or unlawful.”
NBC News has reached out to the white House,Justice Department,and Department of Homeland Security for comment. This is a developing story and will be updated as more data becomes available.
