Illinois Lawsuit Over Trump’s National Guard Deployment Dismissed
April 21, 2026 — A federal judge has dismissed the lawsuit filed by the state of Illinois and the city of Chicago challenging the Trump administration’s attempted deployment of National Guard troops to the state, ruling the case moot after the Supreme Court refused to allow the deployment.
Background of the Legal Challenge
The lawsuit originated last fall after the Trump administration sent hundreds of National Guard troops from Texas to a base in Elwood, Illinois. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago officials condemned the move as an “unconstitutional invasion” and argued the deployment was part of a broader federal immigration enforcement effort known as Operation: Midway Blitz, which simultaneously brought thousands of ICE and CBP agents to Chicago.
Illinois and Chicago filed suit to block the deployment, asserting it violated constitutional limits on federal military authority within states. In October 2025, a federal judge in Chicago granted a temporary block on the deployment, even as troops remained stationed in the state.
Supreme Court Intervention and Case Status
The legal battle escalated to the U.S. Supreme Court, which on December 23, 2025, rejected the Trump administration’s request to deploy the National Guard in Illinois while the case proceeded. The Court’s order did not overturn lower court rulings blocking the deployment but maintained the prohibition on sending troops into Chicago streets.
By mid-November 2025, the Texas National Guard troops had been withdrawn from Illinois as both parties awaited the Supreme Court’s decision. President Trump later confirmed the full withdrawal of National Guard personnel from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, Oregon, by the conclude of 2025.
Judicial Dismissal and Ruling
On Monday, April 20, 2026, U.S. District Judge April Perry dismissed the case at the request of the Trump administration, determining the matter was moot. Judge Perry stated that the Supreme Court’s refusal to permit deployment rendered the administration’s orders “no longer operational.”
The Chicago Department of Law welcomed the ruling, emphasizing that the court affirmed the lack of a lawful basis for using the National Guard in Chicago for federal immigration enforcement. Illinois officials had previously argued the deployment exceeded presidential authority and infringed on state sovereignty.
Financial and Political Context
The Congressional Budget Office estimated the attempted deployment cost taxpayers $21 million, despite the troops never being mobilized for operational duties in Illinois. The financial outlay covered transportation, housing, and preparation costs associated with the federal activation of the Guard units.
Governor Pritzker had been a vocal opponent of the deployment, repeatedly stating he would not “back down” in resisting what he characterized as an overreach of federal power. The dismissal marks the conclusion of one of several legal challenges raised by states during the Trump administration concerning the use of military forces for domestic immigration operations.
Key Takeaways
- The Illinois v. Trump lawsuit challenging the National Guard deployment is officially resolved following judicial dismissal.
- The case was deemed moot after the Supreme Court blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to deploy Guard troops to Illinois in December 2025.
- Lower courts had previously blocked the deployment, ruling it likely violated constitutional protections against unauthorized federal military action within states.
- Despite the legal defeat, the Trump administration withdrew National Guard troops from Illinois by November 2025, with no troops ultimately deployed to Chicago streets.
- The episode underscores ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement efforts and state authority over National Guard units.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the lawsuit dismissed?
The lawsuit was dismissed because the core issue — whether the Trump administration could legally deploy National Guard troops to Illinois — became moot after the Supreme Court refused to permit such deployment and the administration withdrew the troops from the state.
Did any National Guard troops actually deploy to Chicago?
No. Although hundreds of Texas National Guard troops were sent to Illinois and stationed at a base in Elwood, they were never deployed to Chicago streets or used for law enforcement operations due to court orders blocking the move.
What was Operation: Midway Blitz?
Operation: Midway Blitz was a federal immigration enforcement initiative that brought thousands of ICE and CBP agents to Chicago concurrently with the National Guard deployment effort. Illinois officials argued the Guard’s presence was intended to support this immigration crackdown.
What did the Supreme Court decide in December 2025?
On December 23, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration’s request to deploy the National Guard to Illinois while legal challenges were pending. The Court did not rule on the underlying constitutionality of the deployment but maintained lower court blocks on putting troops on the streets.