A federal judge has blocked the deployment of National Guard troops to the Chicago area for at least two weeks, following a lawsuit filed by city and state officials. U.S. District Judge April Perry stated there was no substantial evidence to support claims of an imminent threat of rebellion in Illinois, marking a significant legal win for local Democratic leaders who have been in a heated exchange with the Trump administration over the deployment.



The legal challenge was initiated by the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois on Monday to prevent the Governor’s troops from being dispatched, with some already stationed near an immigration facility in Broadview. The claims of needing military support were deemed excessive by local officials, who argue that the protests surrounding the facility have not posed a serious threat to public safety.



Perry highlighted the Department of Homeland Security's actions, attributing them to President Trump’s antagonistic stance towards Illinois officials. DHS’s narrative of events is simply unreliable, she commented, indicating skepticism towards federal claims of an escalating situation in the state.



In statements made earlier, officials, including Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, characterized the planned military presence as unnecessary and illegal, arguing it was rooted in political motives rather than genuine security concerns. The courtroom saw heavy attendance, with officials and community members expressing their opposition to the federal government's plans.



Trump has previously described Chicago in derogatory terms, portraying it as a city plagued by crime, despite statistics showing a decline. Furthermore, he has invoked the potential of utilizing the Insurrection Act if states cannot maintain order.



On the federal side, a Justice Department attorney emphasized that the deployment was intended for protecting federal property rather than addressing crime. Current court rulings favoring local objections reflect a growing pushback against federal military involvement in civilian law enforcement.