Judge Halts National Guard in Illinois as Memphis Moves Forward/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ National Guard troops will begin patrolling Memphis, Tennessee, on Friday, while a federal judge blocked their deployment in Illinois for two weeks. The move stems from President Trump’s broader immigration crackdown, but critics say it violates constitutional protections. Legal challenges continue in several states, including Oregon and California.
National Guard Deployment Controversy Quick Looks
- National Guard to begin patrolling Memphis on Friday
- Federal judge halts Guard deployment in Illinois for two weeks
- Order blocks 500 troops from Texas and Illinois near Chicago
- Trump cited rising crime and immigration issues for deployment
- Judge found no evidence of “rebellion” in Illinois
- Court ruling cites violations of the 10th and 14th Amendments
- Memphis deployment backed by Republican Gov. Bill Lee
- Chicago court sets October 22 hearing for possible extension
- Related legal fights unfolding in Oregon and California
- Democratic-led states challenge legality of Trump’s orders
Deep Look
National Guard to Patrol Memphis While Federal Judge Blocks Deployment in Illinois Amid Trump Immigration Push
MEMPHIS, Tenn. / CHICAGO, Ill. — Oct. 10, 2025 — National Guard troops are expected to hit the streets of Memphis, Tennessee, on Friday as part of President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, even as a federal judge in Illinois blocked a similar deployment in the Chicago area, citing constitutional concerns and lack of justification.
The contrasting developments reflect the deepening political and legal divisions across the country over Trump’s use of federal troops in U.S. cities, many of which are led by Democratic officials. The president’s push to activate the National Guard in multiple states has drawn widespread criticism, especially where crime statistics do not support the need for military intervention.
Court Halts Deployment in Illinois
On Thursday, U.S. District Judge April Perry issued a temporary injunction, stopping the deployment of 500 National Guard troops in Illinois for at least two weeks, with a follow-up hearing scheduled for October 22. The order expires on October 23 at 11:59 p.m. unless extended.
In her ruling, Judge Perry stated that the Trump administration violated both the 10th and 14th Amendments:
- 10th Amendment: Protects states’ rights from federal overreach
- 14th Amendment: Guarantees due process and equal protection under the law
“There is no credible evidence of a rebellion in the state of Illinois,” said Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, celebrating the court’s decision.
“There is no place for the National Guard in the streets of cities like Chicago.”
The National Guard members, mostly stationed at a U.S. Army Reserve Center in Elwood, Illinois, had been assigned to a 60-day mission. Some were spotted Thursday outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Broadview, where protests and clashes with agents have occurred in recent weeks.
Memphis Deployment Moves Forward
Meanwhile, in Tennessee, Republican Governor Bill Lee supports the deployment of troops in Memphis, describing the Guard’s presence as “additional eyes and ears” to assist local, state, and federal law enforcement.
According to city officials, the troops will not take direct enforcement actions but will play a support role in crime prevention and immigration-related efforts.
Broader Legal and Political Fallout
The legal pushback in Illinois is part of a larger national resistance to Trump’s immigration enforcement strategy. On Thursday, a federal appeals court heard arguments over Trump’s attempt to federalize 200 Oregon National Guard troops for use in Portland, where small protests have continued outside an ICE building.
In that case, a judge granted a temporary restraining order, blocking the move. Trump had also attempted to reassign California troops to Portland just hours after the Oregon order—but that effort was also challenged in court.
So far:
- Two dozen states with Democratic leadership have filed court briefs in support of the legal challenges
- Twenty Republican-led states, including Iowa, have filed in support of Trump
DOJ and Pentagon Stay Quiet
U.S. Northern Command, which oversees the troops, declined to comment and directed all inquiries to the Department of Defense, which cited its policy of silence on ongoing litigation.
In court, Justice Department attorney Eric Hamilton claimed the Guard’s mission is limited to protecting federal property and officers, not broadly addressing crime.
“This is not about solving all crime in Chicago,” Hamilton told the judge.
However, city and state officials insist the deployment is both unnecessary and unconstitutional, arguing that the presence of troops could escalate tensions.
Related Immigration Enforcement Issues
Chicago’s federal courts also addressed related immigration enforcement issues this week. A judge ruled that ICE had repeatedly violated a 2022 consent decree by making warrantless arrests without proper documentation.
That decree, established after a series of civil rights complaints, mandates ICE to provide legal justification for any arrests of individuals not originally targeted in enforcement actions.
California Deployment Already Ruled Unlawful
In September, a California judge ruled that Trump’s deployment of thousands of troops in Los Angeles was illegal, although only 300 troops remained at that time and no withdrawal order was issued.
What’s Next
The October 22 hearing in Illinois will determine whether the block on troop deployment will be extended. Meanwhile, more court challenges are expected in other states where Trump has threatened similar actions.
With the 2026 elections looming, the use of federal troops in domestic affairs is emerging as a flashpoint issue in national politics, raising questions about the limits of executive authority, the role of the military in civil society, and the rights of states to resist federal intervention.
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