THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AND CHICAGO HAVE FILED A LAWSUIT AIMED AT STOPPING PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S ADMINISTRATION FROM SENDING HUNDREDS OF NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS TO CHICAGO.

IT COMES AFTER A FEDERAL JUDGE BLOCKED TROOPS FROM BEING SENT TO PORTLAND, OREGON.

TRUMP CLAIMS THE TROOPS ARE NEEDED TO PROTECT FEDERAL BUILDINGS DURING IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS, AND HAS PORTRAYED THE DEMOCRAT-LED CITIES AS WAR-RAVAGED AND LAWLESS.

SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"The governor, the mayor, the politicians are petrified for their lives."

OFFICIALS IN BOTH CITIES HAVE DISPUTED THE PRESIDENT’S CHARACTERIZATIONS, SAYING MILITARY INTERVENTION ISN’T NEEDED AND IT’S FEDERAL INVOLVEMENT THAT’S INFLAMING THE SITUATION.

THE LAWSUIT ALLEGES THAT “THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY RESIDE, SHOULD NOT LIVE UNDER THE THREAT OF OCCUPATION BY THE UNITED STATES MILITARY."

ILLINOIS DEMOCRATIC GOV. JB PRITZKER SAID ON X THAT TRUMP IS ORDERING 400 MEMBERS OF THE TEXAS NATIONAL GUARD FOR DEPLOYMENT.

HE CALLED ON REPUBLICAN TEXAS GOV. GREG ABBOTT TO BLOCK IT.

BUT ABBOTT PUSHED BACK, SAYING, "YOU CAN EITHER FULLY ENFORCE PROTECTION FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES OR GET OUT OF THE WAY AND LET TEXAS GUARD DO IT."