Court Rules National Guard in Illinois Remains Federal but Cannot Deploy

CHICAGO, Illinois — A federal appeals court ruled Saturday that National Guard troops in Illinois can stay under federal control but cannot be deployed for active duties. This decision comes amid ongoing legal clashes between the Trump administration and state officials over the deployment of National Guard members to combat demonstrations.

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals issued an emergency order allowing the troops to remain federally controlled, but stopping any active deployment. This ruling temporarily pauses part of a previous district court order that restricted the deployment of the National Guard in the state, which had raised concerns about overreach by the federal government.

According to the court’s ruling, “Members of the National Guard do not need to return to their home states unless further ordered by a court to do so.” Currently, the troops in the Chicago area are engaged in planning and training but are not conducting any operational activities, as confirmed by U.S. Northern Command.

Earlier this week, U.S. District Judge April Perry ruled against President Trump’s plan to deploy the National Guard, stating she found no credible evidence indicating a rebellion in Illinois. “Resort to the military to execute the laws is not called for,” Perry remarked while emphasizing the capacity of federal authorities to manage present situations.

State officials, including Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, expressed their approval of Perry’s initial ruling, highlighting it as a defense of state rights and civil liberties. The ongoing legal battle underscores tensions between federal authority and state control over National Guard deployments.

Meanwhile, in a related case, a three-judge panel from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in Oregon is deliberating the federal government’s ability to deploy the National Guard for similar purposes without state approval. Both cases reflect broader concerns regarding federal power over local affairs and the implications for civil rights.

The situation remains fluid, and the appellate panel has not yet indicated when it will make a final ruling on the appeal. As of now, the National Guard remains in Illinois but constrained from active deployment.