NPR | Monday, October 6, 2025
Illinois and Chicago sue the Trump administration over National Guard deployment

The state of Illinois and the city of Chicago have filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration over its effort to deploy National Guard troops to the state. The parties are asking a judge to block the Trump administration from federalizing the Illinois National Guard and from sending to Illinois any guard members from other states, including Texas. “The American people, regardless of where they reside, should not live under the threat of occupation by the United States military, particularly not simply because their city or state leadership has fallen out of a president’s favor,” Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul wrote in the complaint. It’s the latest turn in a dizzying three-day saga that saw the Trump administration attempt to federalize National Guard troops in Illinois and Oregon as well as dispatch guard members there from other states. President Trump has for weeks promised to send National Guard members to Chicago and Portland, cities he’s characterized as overrun with crime and in need of federal law enforcement help. The administration has also said the troops will be used to protect federal immigration agents and federal property. Local and state leaders in Illinois and Oregon have said National Guard troops are not needed and that Trump is abusing his power. Still, the administration has moved ahead with its plans to deploy the National Guard into the two Democratic-run cities, after it sent guard members into…Read more