Court rejects Trump administration bid to deploy troops in Chicago amid appeal
A federal appeals court on Thursday rejected the Trump administration’s request to lift an order preventing the deployment of the National Guard across Illinois.
The preliminary ruling by a three-judge panel allows for a temporary restraining order against the administration from deploying the National Guard. The panel agreed with Judge April Perry of the Federal District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, who initially blocked the deployment.
“There was insufficient evidence of rebellion or a danger of a rebellion, nor was there sufficient evidence that the President was unable with the regular forces to execute the laws of the United States,” the panel’s ruling stated.
The Trump administration argues the National Guard is needed to protect federal immigration facilities from protesters. But the panel argued that the administration “has been proclaiming the success of its current efforts to enforce immigration laws.”
For the White House, the “facts haven’t changed” following the panel’s decision, spokesperson Abigail Jackson said in a statement to The Hill.
“Amidst ongoing violent riots and lawlessness, that local leaders like [Illinois Gov. JB] Pritzker [D] have refused to step in to quell, President Trump has exercised his lawful authority to protect federal officers and assets,” Jackson said. “President Trump will not turn a blind eye to the lawlessness plaguing American cities and we expect to be vindicated by a higher court.”
Last week, Perry partially restored Trump’s control over the National Guard by allowing him to federalize troops but blocked him from deploying them.
Around 300 federalized Illinois National Guard members and around 200 troops from Texas were deployed to the Chicago area, according to U.S. Northern Command. They have been activated for 60 days.
The aim of the National Guard in Chicago is to “to protect U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other U.S. Government personnel who are performing federal functions, including the enforcement of federal law, and to protect federal property,” U.S. Northern Command said in a statement on Oct. 8.
Illinois and Chicago officials have sued to block the deployment.