Illinois and Chicago File Lawsuit to Halt National Guard Deployment

**Illinois and Chicago File Lawsuit to Halt National Guard Deployment** Illinois and the city of Chicago have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to prevent the deployment of National Guard troops to the area. The legal action, initiated on Monday, follows the federal mobilization of 400 Texas National Guard members to Chicago and other locations. The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Chicago. It argues that the president's authority to involve the military in domestic matters is being undermined. The complaint states, "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's office is seeking a court ruling to declare the federalization and deployment of National Guard troops unconstitutional. The filing also requests that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth be blocked from sending troops to Illinois against the wishes of Governor J.B. Pritzker. The lawsuit highlights concerns about the potential harm to Illinois's sovereignty and self-governance. It claims that the deployment could lead to increased unrest, damage community relations, and negatively impact local businesses and tourism, ultimately affecting the state's tax revenue. The legal action comes amid a backdrop of heightened tensions regarding immigration enforcement. The White House has stated that the deployment is necessary to protect federal immigration personnel and facilities as part of its intensified deportation efforts. In a memorandum related to a separate lawsuit in Oregon, it was revealed that President Trump directed the deployment of the Texas National Guard to Chicago, Portland, and possibly other cities. Governor Pritzker has referred to the deployment as an "invasion" and has called on citizens to voice their opposition. The National Guard has been activated in Chicago 18 times from 1877 to 2021, reflecting the historical context of military involvement in domestic issues. As the situation develops, legal challenges are also being raised in other cities, including Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., where similar concerns about military presence have emerged.