The state of Illinois and the city of Chicago filed suit Monday morning to block President Trump from federalizing and deploying National Guard troops to Chicago.
The complaint argues that such an action would exceed constitutional limits on military involvement in domestic law enforcement and infringe upon state sovereignty. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said there is no legal basis for the deployment, citing the Posse Comitatus Act and constitutional provisions that give states control over their own National Guards.
Per NBC Chicago:
A series of political leaders, including Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, gathered at a press conference Monday to push back against the Trump administration’s reported plans for military deployment to the city, calling it a dramatic overreach that they argue would violate Illinois’ state sovereignty.
Pritzker promised to use every tool at the state’s disposal to push back against the proposed military action.
“Any action undercutting that and violating the sacred sovereignty of our state to cater to the ego of a dictator will be responded to,” he said. “The state of Illinois is ready to stand against this military deployment with every peaceful tool we have.”
The lawsuit mirrors challenges in other states, including Oregon, where federalized Guard deployments have been contested in court. By default, National Guard units operate under state authority, though the federal government can assume control in limited circumstances under Title 10 or the Insurrection Act. (RELATED: Judge Expands Order Blocking National Guard Deployment To Portland)
The plaintiffs argue that the conditions for federalization — such as rebellion, insurrection, or a breakdown of local law enforcement — do not exist in Illinois. They also contend that a federal deployment would violate long-standing restrictions on the military’s domestic role.
The suit underscores state sovereignty, asserting that federal authorities cannot arbitrarily override state control of law enforcement or the Guard. Courts may weigh whether to issue restraining orders blocking deployments until full hearings can be held, as has happened in other states. The litigation is expected to hinge on whether the administration can prove a true emergency that justifies federal intervention.
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Chicago was better off when Al Capone was in charge!
Stop all federal funding for the state, or any state that doesn’t comply.
How can the the Illinois political system say that the breakdown of local law enforcement does not exist, when crime is running rampant?
“They’re OUR criminals. You can’t interfere with their constitutional right to steal, murder, rape and pillage.”
Governor Pritzker stands at the forefront to preserve anarchy in the Land of Lincoln.