Judges have intervened in President Donald Trump's initiatives to deploy the National Guard in various cities, notably Chicago and Portland, Oregon. However, as of recent reports, troops are actively patrolling in Memphis, Tennessee, following an endorsement from the state's Governor Bill Lee.
The National Guard troops, outfitted in military fatigues, protective vests, and armed with holstered firearms, were seen patrolling locations such as a Bass Pro Shops store and a nearby tourist welcome center along the Mississippi River. The exact number of troops deployed to Memphis remains undisclosed.
In recent weeks, Trump has either dispatched or contemplated sending troops to numerous cities, including Baltimore, the District of Columbia, New Orleans, and major Californian cities like Oakland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. According to federal officials, these troops are intended to support immigration enforcement and safeguard federal properties.
In Memphis, the deployment comes with the backing of Republican Governor Bill Lee, who views the operation as a means to enhance law enforcement activities. Interestingly, the initiative was not requested by Memphis Mayor Paul Young, a Democrat, who expressed hopes that the task force would focus on targeting violent offenders rather than intimidating the local populace.
Since the deployment began on September 29, federal agents, including those from the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the U.S. Marshals Service, have reportedly arrested hundreds and issued over 2,800 traffic citations in Memphis.
In contrast, tensions have arisen in Illinois, where Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth were denied access to an ICE facility in Broadview. They criticized the lack of transparency, suggesting that it reflects underlying issues the facility seeks to hide.
The deployment of National Guard troops in Chicago has faced judicial obstacles. On Thursday, a federal judge blocked the troop mobilization for at least two weeks, prompting the Justice Department to appeal the decision the following day. Judge April Perry ruled that Trump's administration violated both the 10th Amendment, which reserves certain powers for states, and the 14th Amendment, which ensures due process and equal protection. Perry's judgement references a historical wariness of military involvement in U.S. domestic policing.
Perry further highlighted that even founding fathers like Alexander Hamilton would oppose using one state's militia against another for political reasons. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker echoed this sentiment, affirming the court's decision demonstrated the unlikelihood of any rebellion occurring in Illinois and criticized the use of the National Guard in urban settings like Chicago.
Meanwhile, a separate court battle in Oregon has stalled similar deployment plans to Portland, with arguments heard before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. U.S. Northern Command spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Theresa Meadows noted that troops intended for Chicago and Portland are not currently engaged in operational activities.
In a related development, 500 Guard members from Texas and Illinois arrived this week at a U.S. Army Reserve Center in Elwood, southwest of Chicago. They have been activated for a duration of 60 days and began patrolling the area around the ICE Broadview facility shortly after deployment.
Following these happenings, a federal judge issued orders for ICE to dismantle an 8-foot-tall fence that was obstructing a public street outside the Broadview facility. Furthermore, another judge temporarily mandated federal agents to wear identification badges while prohibiting the use of certain crowd-control measures against peaceful protesters and journalists outside the facility.
In recent incidents within Chicago, federal prosecutors have indicted two individuals who allegedly used their vehicles to block a Border Patrol agent's vehicle, leading to a confrontation that culminated in the agent discharging his firearm.
