Federal judge temporarily blocks National Guard deployment to Chicago area

A federal judge on Thursday night granted a temporary restraining order that blocks President Donald Trump's federalization and deployment of the National Guard to Chicago and its surrounding area.

The order was in response to a lawsuit from the city of Chicago and state of Illinois that was filed Monday in a bid to stop the deployment of the National Guard, who were expected to help protect federal buildings.

The order comes despite 500 National Guard troops already arriving in the area on Wednesday from Illinois and Texas. 

U.S. District Judge April Perry, who was appointed by former President Joe Biden, partially granted the request and said the order will expire on Oct. 23. 

The judge also set a hearing for Oct. 22 on whether to extend the order for another two weeks. She did not explain her reasoning for granting the order. 

“Donald Trump is not a king — and his administration is not above the law,” Illinois' Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker posted on X after the ruling. “Today, the court confirmed what we all know: there is no credible evidence of a rebellion in the state of Illinois. And no place for the National Guard in the streets of American cities like Chicago.”

The judge additionally denied the Trump administration's request to stay the order pending an appeal.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.