Nationwide — President Trump is urging the Supreme Court to allow his National Guard deployment in Chicago, saying federal agents alone cannot handle immigration enforcement and rising crime. He argues the move is within his authority under federal law.
The administration explained its case in a letter on Monday. According to ABC News, Solicitor General John Sauer told the justices that “regular forces” in federal law refers to civilian federal agents like ICE and DHS, not the military. He said these agents are stretched too thin to enforce immigration laws alone, making the Guard’s support necessary.
Sauer emphasized that deploying the National Guard is a reasonable step. He highlighted the Guard’s experience in safely handling domestic situations, in contrast to the standing military, whose focus is on foreign conflicts.
Illinois and Chicago have challenged the deployment, calling the administration’s legal argument a stretch. Lower courts have blocked the troop deployment, ruling that the president’s justification does not meet legal requirements. Officials plan to file a response to the Supreme Court soon.
The Trump administration maintains Guard troops are needed to protect federal immigration facilities and curb violence in Chicago, which Trump has repeatedly described as a “war zone.” The Supreme Court’s decision will decide whether the deployment can move forward.
Trump had previously called for the arrest of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and criticized Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, claiming they failed to protect federal officers as the Guard arrived. He linked the deployment to attacks on ICE facilities and warned he could invoke the Insurrection Act if local leaders tried to block his orders.