• A federal judge in Illinois blocks Trump's National Guard deployment for two weeks.
• The ruling raises concerns over the administration's claims about violent protests.
• Illinois Governor JB Pritzker claims the decision affirms the rule of law against federal overreach.
• Trump threatens to expand military deployments to other Democratic-led cities.
• Ongoing legal challenges in Illinois echo similar disputes in Oregon regarding troop deployments.

A federal judge in Chicago has temporarily halted President Donald Trump’s order to deploy National Guard troops in Illinois, stating that their presence would "only add fuel to the fire" amid ongoing protests. This ruling, issued by Judge April Perry, follows a similar decision regarding a deployment in Portland, Oregon and reflects the legal challenges the administration faces over its military strategies to enforce immigration laws, according to SCMP, India Times, and Al Jazeera.

Governor JB Pritzker expressed his approval of the ruling, asserting that "Donald Trump is not a king" and stressing that the governor’s office is not subject to arbitrary federal deployment decisions. The deployment, involving approximately 500 troops, was framed by the Trump administration as a necessary move to protect federal officers and property from noted violence during protests, although this characterization has been widely disputed by local officials and observers. Judge Perry remarked on the lack of credible evidence supporting claims of a rebellion in Illinois, according to Le Monde, Channel News Asia, and AA.

The broader implications of this ruling highlight the tensions between state leadership and federal authority, particularly as Trump seeks to assert control over cities led by opposing political parties. Pritzker has indicated that the presence of National Guard troops is unwarranted, emphasizing reliance on local law enforcement. The ruling is expected to hold until at least October 23, with the potential for extension if necessary, cited by ABC News, BBC, and Reuters.

In parallel, a federal appeals court in Chicago has temporarily maintained a block on the administration's push to deploy National Guard troops throughout the state. This decision mirrors ongoing legal battles in Oregon, wherein state officials have also contested the deployment of military resources. As local anti-ICE protests continue, Trump has evoked threats of invoking the Insurrection Act, a federal law enabling military intervention during civil unrest, as he discusses extending deployment operations in other cities, according to CBS News and TRT Global.