Federal Showdown: Illinois Sues Trump Over National Guard Deployment

In a brewing legal battle, Illinois has initiated a lawsuit against President Donald Trump to preempt the deployment of federalized National Guard troops in Chicago. The move comes as Trump's clashes with Democratic-led states and cities continue to intensify, with Illinois challenging the federal government's authority in deploying military forces domestically.

U.S. District Judge April Perry permitted the deployment to proceed for the time being, setting a deadline for federal response while disputes over federal intervention unfold. Trump hinted at possibly invoking the Insurrection Act, which would allow military involvement in domestic law enforcement, though such actions remain contentious and historically rare.

Democratic officials argue that the federal move unlawfully targets their cities and misrepresents them as crime-ridden. Governor J.B. Pritzker criticized Trump's tactics as exacerbating tensions, while Trump maintained that city leaders have failed to manage escalating crime, likening Chicago to a war zone.