A lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s deployment of the National Guard in Illinois has been dismissed by a judge, marking the end of a legal battle over federal intervention in the state.
The lawsuit was initiated by Illinois in response to the deployment of hundreds of National Guard troops under federal command during an operation known as “Operation Midway Blitz.”
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The Supreme Court had previously halted the deployment, and the case was officially dismissed on Monday morning.
Governor JB Pritzker expressed his relief in a statement, saying, “Today’s ruling in Illinois v. Trump confirms what we’ve known: Donald Trump’s use of the National Guard to patrol our streets was a reckless misuse of power. I am thankful to the court for supporting our communities and upholding democratic principles.”
He continued by commending Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul for his efforts, stating, “I applaud Attorney General Raoul for his unwavering defense of our rights against federal overreach. His dedication and the hard work of his team have been crucial in countering Trump’s attempts at authoritarianism.”
Governor Pritzker concluded by emphasizing the importance of protecting community freedoms, asserting, “No community should fear the presence of masked federal troops in their neighborhoods, nor should our National Guard members be used for political gain. These are essential tenets of a healthy democracy, and this case’s outcome reaffirms that belief.”
“While this is an important result, we know that the Trump Administration will continue to test the limits of its power no matter the cost to our communities. Illinois will keep standing up and fighting for the rights of our people.”
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said in a statement, “In October, the District Court for the Northern District took action to stop the unlawful deployment of National Guard troops in Illinois because the administration could provide no lawful explanation for its deployment. That is because none existed. This matter went all the way to U.S. Supreme Court, which denied the administration’s attempt to stay that lower court’s order. Now, several months later, the federal government has conceded that the orders for deployment are not operational.
“The American people, regardless of the city or state in which they reside, should not live under threat of military occupation simply because they live in a jurisdiction that has fallen out of a president’s political favor. I am pleased that today, the court has declared the Trump administration’s unlawful orders defunct and said it is absolutely clear that the administration cannot use the Illinois orders to federalize or deploy National Guard troops in Illinois. I am proud of the attorneys from my office who diligently fought to uphold the rule of law, because in Illinois, we recognize that the Constitution is not merely a suggestion.”
The Chicago Department of Law said in a statement, “We welcome the court’s ruling today that the Trump Administration’s deployment orders are no longer operational and cannot be used to federalize the National Guard. There was never a lawful basis to deploy the National Guard into Chicago for federal immigration enforcement. The orders represented a federal overreach that threatened the local rule of law.”
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