A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s plan to deploy the National Guard in Chicago as part of immigration enforcement efforts. U.S. District Judge April Perry issued a two-week temporary restraining order on Thursday, halting the activation of the National Guard in Illinois.
The judge stated that the Department of Homeland Security had used unreliable evidence to justify the deployment, which the Trump administration claimed was necessary to protect federal properties, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities. Perry’s ruling emphasized that allowing the National Guard to be deployed could escalate tensions, stating it would "only add fuel to the fire."
The judge’s decision was welcomed by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who has criticized the deployment as an unnecessary show of force. He argued that there was no credible evidence of a rebellion in Illinois, asserting that the National Guard should not be present in urban areas like Chicago.
In response, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson defended the administration’s actions, stating that President Trump was exercising his authority to protect federal officers and properties amid ongoing unrest. She expressed confidence that a higher court would support their position.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller criticized the ruling, suggesting that the judge failed to understand that federal troops can be deployed from various states for protective missions.
The controversy comes as the Trump administration has been conducting "Operation Midway Blitz" to address illegal immigration in the Chicago area. This operation has already seen a significant federal presence, with reports of attacks on ICE agents, including multiple incidents of car rammings.
A follow-up ruling is expected on October 22, when Judge Perry will decide whether to extend the injunction for another two weeks. The Trump administration has already filed an appeal against the order.
