A heated battle is underway between the Trump administration and several Democratic cities, with the National Guard at its center. Vice President JD Vance has vowed to fight on, stating, "We'll litigate this as much as we can." This comes after a federal appeals court in Illinois ruled against the administration's attempt to deploy National Guard members in the state.
The ruling, issued by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, is just the latest development in a long-standing dispute. The Trump administration has been pushing to send National Guard troops to Democratic cities like Chicago and Portland, Oregon, claiming it's necessary to control crime and protect federal agents. However, local leaders argue that the National Guard's presence is unnecessary and an overreach of federal power.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, a Democrat, has been a vocal opponent of the deployment. He credits the judicial system for keeping troops off Chicago's streets, emphasizing the importance of relying on the courts to uphold justice.
Most of the National Guard members from Texas and Illinois were stationed at a U.S. Army Reserve Center in Elwood, Illinois, while a smaller contingent was deployed to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Broadview.
The legal battle continues as Chicago, the country's third-largest city, hosts the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Organizers expect over 53,000 runners and 1.7 million spectators to attend, raising concerns about potential immigration enforcement actions during the event.
ICE has assured the Chicago Sun-Times that it does not conduct operations at public events unless there are exigent circumstances. The Chicago Park District has also denied receiving any information about ICE agents at the marathon, dispelling rumors circulating on social media.
Enrique Rivera, organizer of the predominantly Latino running club Venados, expressed concern for runners' safety during their training rather than the race itself. He fears potential encounters with individuals or groups who may target immigrants.
Chicago and Portland have become national focal points for the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. On Thursday, U.S. District Court Judge April Perry temporarily blocked the federalization and deployment of National Guard troops in Illinois, citing unreliable descriptions of protests offered by the administration's attorneys. However, this order was partially overturned by an appeals court just days later.
Despite the legal setbacks, clashes between protesters and federal agents persist in the Chicago area. On Friday, journalist Debbie Brockman from Chicago's WGN television station was briefly detained by law enforcement, highlighting the ongoing tensions.
