Trump administration appeals Illinois TRO blocking National Guard deployment

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – The Trump administration is appealing a federal judge’s temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction blocking the administration’s deployment of National Guard troops in Illinois.

Federal district Judge April M. Perry granted the state of Illinois and city of Chicago’s request during a hearing Thursday at the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in downtown Chicago.

President Donald Trump, cabinet officials and the U.S. Army appealed the decision late Thursday to the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.

The state of Illinois and the city of Chicago filed a lawsuit Monday seeking the TRO and preliminary injunction to block the federal deployment.

Several hundred National Guard troops had already arrived in the Chicago area by Thursday afternoon.

Perry said she found no evidence that the president could not execute the law with the available forces of the federal government.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said Perry ruled correctly.

“This was an important decision not just for the state of Illinois, but for the entire country,” Raoul said.

Raoul said it is up the defendants to make sure they abide by the judge’s order.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson called Perry’s decision a win for the people and the rule of law.

“Judge Perry echoed many of the points that we have made repeatedly: Trump’s deployment is illegal, unconstitutional, dangerous, and unnecessary. There is no rebellion in Chicago. There are just good people standing up for what is right,” Johnson said in a statement.

The TRO expires Oct. 23 at 11:59 p.m. but could be extended before that time.