President Donald Trump has deployed National Guard members to Illinois, citing the need to protect federal property amidst protests in the Chicago area.
On Wednesday, 200 National Guard troops from Texas began operations in Chicago, according to a spokesperson from U.S. Northern Command who chose to remain anonymous for operational specifics.
The deployment comes ahead of a federal court hearing scheduled for Thursday, which is set to discuss requests to halt the activation of Illinois and Texas National Guard members in the state.
Chicago and Illinois officials filed a lawsuit on Monday arguing that the deployment is both unnecessary and illegal.
In a striking contrast to Trump’s portrayal of Chicago as a “hellhole” plagued by crime, recent statistics indicate a significant drop in crime in the city.
In their lawsuit, Chicago and Illinois emphasized that protests at a temporary ICE detention facility in Broadview have not significantly impeded federal immigration enforcement actions.
As legal officials prepare for court, a collective of twenty-four states led by Democratic governors and attorneys general also joined in legal challenges concerning National Guard deployments, specifically in Portland, Oregon.
This group of states expressed support for California and Oregon’s efforts against the deployment of the National Guard, stating that troops are called into action when there is neither an invasion nor a rebellion to quell and while local law enforcement can effectively manage the situation.
“This flouts the vision of our Founders, undermines the rule of law, and sets a chilling precedent putting the constitutional rights of all Americans at risk,” the court filing asserts.
While legal actions in Portland are being contested in the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, President Trump remains steadfast in his decision to deploy troops to the city to manage ongoing protests at an immigration processing facility which he has labeled a “war zone.”
Though some legal proceedings are already underway, troops have not yet been deployed to Portland.
Additionally, the Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has taken proactive measures by signing an executive order reaffirming the autonomy of the city’s police department and establishing a reporting system for addressing alleged misconduct by military personnel and federal agents.
As the situation unfolds in Illinois, the initial wave of Guard members sent to the Chicago area arrived Tuesday at an Army training center situated outside of the city.
Reports confirmed that military personnel from the Texas National Guard were seen at the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Elwood, situated approximately 55 miles southwest of Chicago.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker confirmed that around 300 members of the state’s National Guard would be federalized and deployed alongside an additional 400 troops from Texas.
Governor Pritzker has openly condemned Trump’s deployment plan as unlawful and charged that it poses a danger.
Trump argues that these troops are essential to bolster federal immigration enforcement and to address escalating crime concerns.
Since he took office for his second term, Trump has threatened to send troops to various cities across the U.S., including Portland; Baltimore; Memphis; Washington, D.C.; New Orleans; and several cities in California such as Oakland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
The timing surrounding the National Guard activities in Memphis remains unclear.
A spokesperson from Tennessee’s Military Department mentioned that some members of the Tennessee National Guard had begun assisting with community safety and traffic management, while updates on the city’s official website indicated that Guard patrols were scheduled to begin on Friday.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois has also filed a lawsuit against Trump and the Department of Homeland Security.
The ACLU criticizes U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement alongside several agency leaders for allegedly initiating a campaign of violence and intimidation against peaceful protesters and journalists at the ICE facility in Broadview, which is located approximately 12 miles west of Chicago.
Federal agents have repeatedly faced criticism for deploying tear gas and other crowd-control measures against demonstrators, which has resulted in federal charges against at least seven protestors in recent clashes.
The situation continues to evolve as local and federal outcomes are awaited, and the legal battles highlight broader issues of state versus federal authority amidst ongoing tensions.
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