“From Courtroom to Combat Gear: Trump Turns Legal Defeat into Military Showdown in Chicago
Hours after a federal judge blocked his order to deploy National Guard troops to Portland, President Donald Trump has authorized the deployment of 300 troops to Chicago, escalating tensions between the White House and state officials over federal intervention in local affairs.
According to a statement released by the White House, the move aims to “restore order and protect federal property” following a series of protests tied to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in the Chicago area. The order came just a day after U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut temporarily halted a similar deployment to Portland, citing constitutional and state sovereignty concerns.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson condemned the action, calling it an “unwarranted intrusion” that undermines state authority. “We don’t need federal troops to manage our city — we need federal leadership that respects the law,” Johnson said at a Sunday press briefing.
Legal experts argue the move could test the limits of the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts the federal military’s role in domestic law enforcement. The deployment also raises fears of renewed street clashes, as activists in Brighton Park and Little Village have already organized protests against what they describe as “militarization of civil life.”
Despite growing criticism, administration officials insist the action is within federal rights to ensure national security and protect government facilities. The deployment is expected to begin later this week unless blocked by another court order.
