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Supreme Court rejects Trump administration's National Guard plan
The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to allow the federal government to send National Guard troops to the Chicago area, siding with state and local leaders who opposed the move. In a brief, unsigned order issued Tuesday, the court stated that the president's authority to federalize the National Guard likely applies only in "exceptional" situations.
Background on the dispute
The National Guard, composed mainly of state-based military units, typically responds to crises such as natural disasters or large-scale protests. The Trump administration sought to deploy these forces to Chicago as part of broader efforts to address unrest in Democratic-led cities, including Portland, New Orleans, and Washington, D.C.
President Trump has argued that the deployments are necessary to curb violence, reduce crime, and support immigration enforcement. However, Illinois officials, including Governor JB Pritzker, challenged the move in court, calling it an overreach of federal power.
Lower court ruling upheld
A federal judge previously blocked the deployment, rejecting the administration's claim that protests in the Chicago area amounted to a "rebellion or danger of rebellion." The judge ruled that the president's decision was subject to judicial review. The Trump administration appealed to the Supreme Court, requesting that the deployment proceed while legal proceedings continued.
Supreme Court's decision
In a 6-3 ruling, the justices declined to intervene, leaving the lower court's injunction in place. The majority opinion stated that the government had not demonstrated sufficient legal authority to justify military involvement in Illinois at this stage.
"At this preliminary stage, the Government has failed to identify a source of authority that would allow the military to execute the laws in Illinois,"
Supreme Court majority opinion
Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Neil Gorsuch dissented. The White House has not yet responded to the ruling.
Reactions and implications
Governor Pritzker hailed the decision as "a big win for Illinois and American democracy." The ruling marks a rare instance in which the conservative-majority court has not sided with the Trump administration, which has frequently prevailed in recent legal battles.
While the president has deployed troops to other cities despite legal challenges, this is the first time the Supreme Court has weighed in on the matter. The decision maintains the status quo in Chicago, one of the nation's largest metropolitan areas.
