Federal Judge Temporarily Halts National Guard Deployment in Chicago

U.S. District Judge April Perry has issued a temporary restraining order preventing the Trump administration from deploying National Guard troops to Chicago. The decision follows a lawsuit filed by the state of Illinois and the city of Chicago, challenging the federal government's authority to deploy troops without state consent.

Judge Perry stated, "I have seen no credible evidence that there is a danger of rebellion in the state of Illinois." She expressed concern that the presence of National Guard troops "will only add fuel to the fire that the defendants themselves have started."

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker responded to the ruling, emphasizing that "Donald Trump is not a king – and his administration is not above the law." He added, "Today, the court confirmed what we all know: there is no credible evidence of a rebellion in the state of Illinois. And no place for the National Guard in the streets of American cities like Chicago."

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson called the decision a "win for the people of Chicago and the rule of law," vowing that the city would "continue to use all of the tools at our disposal to end the Trump administration’s war on Chicago."

The Trump administration had argued that the deployment was necessary to protect federal facilities and personnel amid ongoing protests. However, Judge Perry criticized the Department of Homeland Security for providing a version of events that was "simply unreliable."

The temporary restraining order is set to remain in effect for 14 days, with a hearing scheduled for October 22 to consider extending the order.