A federal judge has ruled that National Guard troops deployed by President Donald Trump to Illinois can remain in the state but are barred from patrolling or protecting federal property. The decision follows a block on the deployment amid concerns over the Insurrection Act. This comes as similar troop deployments occur in other cities facing unrest.
On Saturday, U.S. District Judge April Perry ruled that National Guard troops sent to Illinois by President Donald Trump can stay in the state but cannot patrol or deploy to protect federal property. This decision grants a temporary restraining order, blocking the full deployment until further arguments are heard. The troops do not need to return to their home states unless further ordered by a court.
The ruling stems from Perry's Thursday decision, which blocked the deployment of National Guard troops in Chicago and across Illinois for at least two weeks. The Trump administration had requested an emergency stay following that block. Perry stated there was no evidence of a 'danger of rebellion' in the state, as Trump has suggested he may invoke the Insurrection Act, allowing federal troops to intervene in states defying federal laws or failing to suppress insurrections.
Trump addressed the possibility during a Monday Oval Office appearance, telling reporters: 'I’d do it if it was necessary. So far it hasn’t been necessary. But we have an Insurrection Act for a reason.' The act was last invoked in 1992 during the Los Angeles riots.
In her ruling, Perry emphasized: 'There has been no showing that the civil power has failed. The agitators who have violated the law by attacking federal authorities have been arrested. The courts are open, and the marshals are ready to see that any sentences of imprisonment are carried out. Resort to the military to execute the laws is not called for.' She added: 'Not even Alexander Hamilton could have envisioned one state’s militia to be used against another state’s residents because the President wants to punish those with views other than his own.'
Along with Chicago, Trump has deployed federal troops to Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Memphis to address crime and unrest.