A federal judge in Illinois on Thursday temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops into Illinois, questioning the administration’s “credibility” during a blistering hearing.
“I simply cannot credit [the administration’s] declarations to the extent they contradict state and local law enforcement,” U.S. District Judge April Perry said, issuing a temporary restraining order to block the mobilization of National Guard troops for 14 days. “DHS’ perception of events are simply unreliable.”
There is “no doubt there have been acts of vandalism and assaults” during federal immigration crackdowns in Chicago, Perry said, but added that the deployment would only worsen matters.
“I find that allowing the National Guard to deploy will only add fuel to the fire that the defendants have started,” Perry added. She said a full written opinion would be issued as soon as Oct. 10.
In addition to Trump’s attempt to federalize the Illinois National Guard, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott turned over several hundred of his state’s troops earlier this week to the Trump administration, which then sent them to Illinois shortly after. U.S. Northern Command confirmed approximately 500 soldiers from the Texas and Illinois National Guards were activated in the Chicago area on a 60-day mission to protect federal agents and facilities.
This is a developing story and will be updated.