National Guard troops were expected Friday to begin patrolling in Memphis, a day after a federal judge in Illinois blocked the deployment of troops in the Chicago area for at least two weeks. The on-again, off-again deployments stem from a political and legal battle over President Donald Trump’s push to send the National Guard to several U.S. cities, despite claims of rampant crime not always supported by statistics. If a president invokes the Insurrection Act, they can deploy active-duty military in states facing insurrection or defying federal law. However, Judge April Perry indicated no credible evidence of rebellion exists in Illinois, stating, “The court confirmed what we all know: There is no credible evidence of a rebellion in the state of Illinois.” In contrast, in Tennessee, where Republican Governor Bill Lee supports the deployment, National Guard troops are to serve as “additional eyes and ears” alongside local, state, and federal agencies. The order in Illinois is set to expire on October 23, with a hearing scheduled for the previous day to determine its extension. Judge Perry’s ruling highlighted violations of the 10th and 14th Amendments in deploying troops without justification. The Guard's future actions remain uncertain as the city and state deem the deployments unnecessary and illegal.
National Guard Troops Begin Memphis Patrol as Illinois Deployment Paused

National Guard Troops Begin Memphis Patrol as Illinois Deployment Paused
National Guard troops are set to patrol Memphis starting Friday after a federal judge blocks their deployment in Chicago for two weeks, citing a lack of credible evidence for insurrection.
The deployment of National Guard troops in Memphis is expected to start on Friday, following a ruling by a federal court in Illinois that has temporarily halted the deployment in Chicago. U.S. District Judge April Perry found no substantial evidence of potential rebellion in Illinois during the ongoing immigration reforms spearheaded by President Trump. This ruling underscores ongoing legal disputes over the legitimacy of troop deployments in various U.S. cities. Governor JB Pritzker hailed the decision as a victory, emphasizing the absence of justification for National Guard presence in urban areas.