Judge blocks Trump move to federalize Guard in Chicago, curbing deployment
A federal judge, U.S. District Judge April M. Perry, has ruled against the Trump administration’s federalization of National Guard forces in Chicago, curbing plans to deploy roughly 500 troops—including about 200 Texas Guard members staged at the Elwood Army Reserve Center—to protect federal immigration personnel. The decision followed a lawsuit by Illinois and Chicago amid visible troop staging, FAA flight restrictions and disputed coordination between state and federal officials, and it limits the deployment pending further litigation or appeal.
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📌 Key Facts
- U.S. District Judge April M. Perry issued an order on Oct. 9, 2025 blocking or limiting the Trump administration’s attempt to federalize National Guard forces in the Chicago area pending further litigation or appeal.
- The State of Illinois and the City of Chicago filed a federal lawsuit (filed Oct. 6) challenging the federalization; an emergency TRO was initially denied and the case moved to a scheduled hearing that produced the adverse ruling for the administration.
- About 500 National Guard troops were activated under USNORTHCOM for an initial ~60‑day period to support a Federal Protection Mission; roughly 200 Texas Guard members were staged at the U.S. Army Reserve Training Center in Elwood, Illinois, and USNORTHCOM confirmed some began protecting federal property mid‑week.
- On‑the‑ground reporting and AP photographers observed Texas Guard patches, trailers, portable toilets and extra perimeter fencing at the Elwood staging site; the FAA imposed flight restrictions over the facility through Dec. 6, 2025.
- The administration framed the deployments as limited to protecting federal immigration officers, facilities and other federal functions amid protests at the Broadview ICE processing center (and a related Brighton Park incident), citing alleged attacks on federal personnel and arrests as justification.
- Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois AG Kwame Raoul publicly opposed the move as politically motivated and said they were not notified in advance; President Trump escalated rhetoric against the officials while federal officials (including FBI Director Kash Patel and others) traveled to Chicago.
- The ruling halts the specific federalization action in Chicago for now, but the administration has other legal and operational avenues (including deployments from other states and a parallel Ninth Circuit case over Oregon) and the situation remains subject to further litigation and appeals.
📚 Contextual Background
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the federal agency responsible for apprehending and detaining people suspected of being undocumented immigrants in the United States.
📊 Analysis & Commentary (1)
SEN TAMMY DUCKWORTH: The National Guard swore an oath to the Constitution, not Donald Trump
"Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s op‑ed criticizes the federal staging of National Guard troops (as at Elwood) as a politicized, constitutionally improper and dangerous use of military forces against American cities, arguing it threatens civil liberties and is legally and operationally unjustified."
📰 Sources (24)
Judge rules against Trump's federalization of National Guard in Chicago
New information:
- A judge has ruled against President Trump's federalization of National Guard forces in Chicago.
- The decision, reported by Axios, shifts the case from a scheduled hearing to an adverse ruling for the administration.
- The ruling effectively blocks or limits the federalization action pending further litigation or appeal.
What to know about Trump’s National Guard deployments in Chicago and Portland
New information:
- USNORTHCOM spokesperson says 200 Texas National Guard troops started working Wednesday in the Chicago area and are protecting federal property; locations not disclosed.
- AP observed personnel with Texas Guard patches at the Elwood U.S. Army Reserve Center; first troops arrived Tuesday.
- U.S. District Judge April Perry will hear arguments Thursday on Illinois/Chicago’s request to block the deployment.
- City/state court filing says protests at Broadview ICE facility have never halted federal immigration enforcement.
Federal court to weigh Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops in Chicago area
New information:
- U.S. District Judge April Perry will hear arguments Thursday on a request to block the Illinois/Texas National Guard deployment in the Chicago area.
- A USNORTHCOM spokesperson confirmed an element of the 200 Texas Guard troops began protecting federal property on Wednesday; all ~500 Guard are under Northern Command and activated for 60 days.
- City/State court filing asserts Broadview ICE protests “never came close to stopping” enforcement and calls the deployment a pretext.
- President Trump said Wednesday that Mayor Brandon Johnson and Gov. JB Pritzker should be jailed for failing to protect federal agents.
- Related context: A Ninth Circuit panel is also set to hear arguments on Trump’s authority over 200 Oregon Guard troops after a district court TRO blocked Portland deployment.
Judge ruling on National Guard lawsuit filed by Illinois, Chicago today
New information:
- Confirms the Illinois/Chicago suit progressed to a scheduled ruling today in NDIL.
- Specifies the federal response length (59 pages) and timing (filed just before the deadline).
- Confirms the initial emergency TRO was denied and provides the 11 a.m. CT hearing time.
Federal judge to rule on whether Trump administration can deploy National Guard in Chicago
New information:
- A federal judge is expected to decide Thursday whether the administration has the authority to deploy National Guard troops in Chicago.
- CBS reports 500 National Guard troops were activated overnight Thursday to guard an immigration detention center targeted by protesters.
Here is the latest.
New information:
- USNORTHCOM provided on-record confirmation that some Texas troops are actively protecting federal personnel and property (without disclosing specific sites).
- Simultaneous court timelines clarified: Ninth Circuit and Illinois district court hearings both set for noon ET on Oct. 9.
How Chicago became ground zero for Trump's military crackdown
New information:
- Axios reports a viral video from Wednesday showing a pastor being shot in the head with a pepper ball outside a local ICE facility; a new lawsuit alleges a 'pattern of extreme brutality' at the site.
- Axios says President Trump has called for the arrest of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker amid the standoff.
- Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order establishing 'ICE-free zones' that bar federal immigration agents from using city property.
- FBI Director Kash Patel is quoted alleging Chicago has roughly 110,000 gang members (~5% of the city’s population), highlighting the administration’s framing of the situation.
- Gov. Pritzker, in a TV interview, asserted the federal call-up is unprecedented in Illinois and said the state is not being told where the troops will go or what they will do.
Homan confirms Texas National Guard 'on the ground' in Illinois, warns anti-ICE rhetoric fueling 'bloodshed'
New information:
- Tom Homan confirms Texas National Guard troops in Illinois "started working" Tuesday night.
- Homan alleges a "1,000% increase" in attacks on ICE officers and links rhetoric from state/local officials to rising violence.
- DHS issues a public statement calling Gov. Pritzker’s claims "reckless" and "categorically false," asserting 1,000+ arrests in Illinois including convicted pedophiles, child abusers and gang members.
- Homan cites recent incidents in Texas, including an officer shot in the neck at a detention facility in Alvarado and the Dallas sniper attack that killed two detainees, to justify heightened protection.
A Chicago federal grand jury deals the latest setback to Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts.
New information:
- About 500 National Guard troops, including 200 from Texas, were expected to begin operations in the Chicago area on Wednesday; no visible street presence yet.
- Officials clarified Illinois Guard troops will not assume law-enforcement duties and will focus on protecting federal immigration officers and facilities.
- A federal court hearing on the Illinois deployment is set for Thursday at noon ET before Judge April M. Perry (a Biden appointee).
- President Trump escalated rhetoric on social media, saying Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson should be jailed for 'failing to protect ICE officers.'
National Guard troops are now outside Chicago and could be in Memphis soon
New information:
- AP reporters observed military personnel in Texas National Guard patches and staging infrastructure (portable toilets, trailers, extra fencing) at the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Elwood, Ill.
- The Federal Aviation Administration ordered flight restrictions over the Elwood Army Reserve Center through Dec. 6, 2025.
- Memphis officials — including a small group of police commanders — were already planning for Guard troop arrivals, and Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee indicated troops would be deputized by the U.S. Marshals Service to play a 'critical support role.'
- Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said about 400 troops from Texas could be part of the forces, and a court hearing on Illinois/Chicago's lawsuit to block the deployment was scheduled this week.
Here is the latest.
New information:
- Identifies the presiding judge in the Chicago litigation as Judge April M. Perry.
- Names Judge Karin J. Immergut as the judge handling the Oregon appeal and provides the scheduled hearing times (Illinois: Thursday 11 a.m. CT; Oregon: Thursday 9 a.m. PT).
- Reports that top officials visited the locations: FBI Director Kash Patel stopped at the Chicago field office; DHS Secretary Kristi Noem met with Oregon officials including Gov. Tina Kotek.
- Reiterates administration's operational framing that the roughly 500 troops will not perform general law‑enforcement but will protect federal immigration officers.
National Guard troops are outside Chicago and could be in Memphis soon in Trump's latest deployment
New information:
- FAA ordered flight restrictions over the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Elwood for security reasons until Dec. 6.
- On‑the‑ground observations: trucks labeled Emergency Disaster Services delivered portable toilets and supplies; trailers and extra perimeter fencing were deployed at the staging site.
- Memphis commanders were already in the city planning for Guard arrivals, and Police Chief Cerelyn Davis confirmed local planning.
- Governor Bill Lee said troops would be deputized by the U.S. Marshals Service to play a 'critical support role' for local law enforcement (role not yet precisely defined).
National Guard members from Texas are in Illinois in Trump's latest move to send troops to cities
New information:
- On‑the‑ground confirmation that Texas National Guard personnel—identifiable by Texas Guard patches—are staged at the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Elwood, Illinois.
- FAA imposed flight restrictions over the Army Reserve Center for security reasons through Dec. 6, 2025.
- Detailed staging activity observed: Emergency Disaster Services trucks delivering portable toilets and supplies, trailers set up in rows and extra perimeter fencing.
- Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he received no advance notice and reiterated his contention that the deployment was political; he had earlier predicted activation of roughly 400 Texas troops.
- The article notes a court hearing on Illinois/Chicago's lawsuit is scheduled this week and references parallel activity/planning in Memphis.
Texas National Guard arrives in Illinois, could begin assignments Wednesday
New information:
- On‑the‑ground confirmation that members of the Texas National Guard have begun arriving at the U.S. Army Reserve Training Center in Elwood (Joliet area), with trailers, temporary fencing and soldiers seen carrying gear.
- An operational timeline: sources told CBS roughly 200 Texas Guard members will deploy to Chicago this week and are expected to begin assignments protecting ICE as soon as Wednesday after an operational brief.
- Context that a federal court hearing on the lawsuit filed by Illinois and the city of Chicago to block the deployment is scheduled for Thursday; state and local officials say they were not notified in advance.
Photos: Texas National Guard troops arrive in Chicago area for Trump crackdown
New information:
- On Oct. 7, 2025 Texas National Guard members were photographed arriving at the Elwood Army Reserve Training Center in Elwood, Illinois.
- The article notes the administration's callup at about 300 National Guard members despite Illinois' lawsuit seeking to block the deployment.
- U.S. District Judge April Perry said she would not review Illinois' request to halt the deployment until Thursday morning, providing a concrete judicial timeline.
- Photos document protests at the training center and include a Pritzker X post opposing troops on Illinois soil.
Texas National Guard deploys 200 troops to Illinois for federal protection mission amid protests
New information:
- Pentagon confirmed the mobilization involved 200 Texas National Guard troops.
- The deployment was for an initial 60‑day period.
- Pentagon statement framed the mission as 'in support of the Federal Protection Mission to protect federal functions, personnel, and property.'
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced additional special‑operations personnel after federal agents were reportedly rammed and 'boxed in by 10 cars.'
- Reports of about a dozen arrests near the Broadview ICE facility and planned local protests (Coalition Against the Trump Agenda).
- Footage and on‑site reporting noted troops staged at the Army Reserve Training Center in Elwood; Gov. Greg Abbott publicly posted that service members were 'on the ground and ready to go.'
- Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson reiterated opposition and signed an executive order creating 'ICE‑free zones.'
News Wrap: Texas National Guard troops arrive at training center near Chicago
New information:
- Texas National Guard troops have arrived at an Army training center near Chicago.
- The arrival was reported on PBS NewsHour (segment aired Tuesday) as staging ahead of an expected deployment to the Chicago area.
Bondi clashes with Durbin on National Guard deployment: 'Love Chicago as much as you hate President Trump'
New information:
- Direct transcript/quotes from Attorney General Pam Bondi's exchange with Sen. Dick Durbin during a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing on Oct. 7, 2025 (including Bondi's 'I wish you loved Chicago as much as you hate President Trump' line).
- Bondi's statement that she refused to detail her communications with the White House about the deployment during the hearing.
- Reporting that FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X confirming he was 'Chicago bound' and that Bondi said Patel and deputy director Todd Blanche were en route to Chicago.
Trump considers invoking Insurrection Act to justify sending troops to Oregon
New information:
- CBS News reports President Trump said he would consider invoking the Insurrection Act to justify sending National Guard troops to Oregon.
- The comment was made on Monday and was attributed directly to President Trump in the CBS News segment.
Deploying troops to Chicago is not legally justified, says Illinois attorney general
New information:
- Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said deploying troops to Chicago is not legally justified and publicly characterized federal actions as political targeting.
- The State of Illinois filed a federal lawsuit on Monday (Oct. 6, 2025) challenging the Trump administration's attempted federalization/deployment of the Illinois National Guard; oral arguments are scheduled for Thursday (Oct. 9, 2025).
- A federal judge did not immediately block the administration from deploying troops while the suit proceeds, and the article notes the administration could deploy some troops from Texas and other states.
- Direct quotes and characterization from both sides: Raoul’s statements describing 'agitation' from ICE/Border Patrol and a White House statement from spokeswoman Abigail Jackson defending the administration’s authority to protect federal officers and assets.
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