SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois Attorney General's office filed a lawsuit in federal court Monday to block the Trump administration from sending National Guard troops to Chicago. Democratic leaders told reporters the president's actions are illegal and causing serious harm.
"Donald Trump is using our servicemembers as political props and as pawns in his illegal effort to militarize our nation's cities," Pritzker said.
The lawsuit states Americans should not live under the threat of occupation by the U.S. military. Illinois' action comes after President Donald Trump announced he would send hundreds of troops from the Illinois and Texas National Guard to the Chicagoland area.Â
Democratic leaders say deploying the National Guard will cause more unrest, harming communities and increasing mistrust of police.
"The only situations that are out of control are certain ICE and customs border patrol officers who are engaged in shocking overreach in an attempt to create a crisis," said Attorney General Kwame Raoul.
A White House spokesperson told NBC News that Trump has exercised his lawful authority to protect federal officers and assets. However, Pritzker stressed he is not afraid to stand up against Trump following the chaos of the past few weeks in Broadview and Chicago.
"Peaceful protesters have been hit with tear gas and shot with rubber bullets. Journalists simply reporting the facts on the ground have been targeted and arrested," Pritzker said. "U.S. citizens, including children, have been traumatized and detained."
The governor said people should continue to record federal agents breaking the law so there is evidence of wrongdoing.
U.S. District Judge Amy Perry has given the U.S. Department of Justice two days to respond in writing to the state's legal motion. The Trump administration will have to respond by midnight Wednesday, and the next hearing will take place Thursday.Â
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