Judicial interventions have stalled President Donald Trump’s deployment of the National Guard in Chicago and Portland, Oregon, while forces are actively patrolling in Memphis, Tennessee, with the support of state Governor Bill Lee.
In Memphis, troops clad in Guard fatigues and vests were seen patrolling areas around the Mississippi River, although the exact number of deployed troops has not been disclosed.
Trump’s administration has been discussing troop deployments in various cities, including Baltimore, Washington D.C., New Orleans, and several locations in California, asserting that these forces are meant to support immigration enforcement and protect federal property.
The deployment of troop units in Memphis had been announced on September 15, with Governor Lee endorsing the plan to augment local law enforcement efforts. However, Memphis Mayor Paul Young, who initially did not request the deployment, emphasized aiming the operation towards targeting violent offenders rather than intimidating the local community.
Federal reports indicate that multiple agencies including the FBI and ICE have been conducting operations that have resulted in numerous arrests and citations since the task force commenced operations in late September.
Contrastingly, legal hurdles halted the troop deployments in Illinois and Oregon, with both states' courts blocking Trump’s actions after local leaders expressed opposition, claiming an infringement on state sovereignty and federal law. Federal judges have also voiced concerns regarding the implications of military involvement in domestic law enforcement, highlighting the historical aversion to such actions.
In Illinois, a judge ruled that Trump's administration had violated constitutional amendments protecting state powers and due process rights by ordering military troops into Chicago. The ruling notes a long-standing tradition against the military’s engagement in civilian policing.
On the legislative front, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth were denied access to an ICE facility in Illinois, raising alarms about transparency and oversight in federal operations dealing with immigration.
Despite the challenges, around 500 members of the National Guard, activated for 60 days, commenced patrols at a U.S. Army Reserve Center in Illinois, as federal authorities face scrutiny over their methods and operations against protesters.
This ongoing situation reflects larger tensions in the ongoing debate over law enforcement powers, federal vs. local authority, and community relations.
