WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch National Guard to Chicago? Trump Appeals to the Supreme Court
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Oct 22, 2025 Colin Levy, an editorial board member at The Wall Street Journal, dives into the heated debate around Donald Trump's request to deploy the National Guard in Chicago amidst escalating protests. He discusses the legal intricacies surrounding the defense of federalizing the Guard and the implications of recent court rulings. Levy also examines why universities are rejecting a proposed higher-education reform compact, highlighting their fears of losing independence and potential government oversight of campus policies.
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Courts Demand Strong Facts For Federalization
- The legal fights over federalizing the National Guard hinge on narrow, fact-specific readings of 'rebellion' and inability to enforce federal law.
- Seventh Circuit found sporadic protest violence doesn't equate to rebellion, so federalization requires clear, systemic breakdown.
Broadview Clashes Fueled National Attention
- Broadview became a prolonged flashpoint with clashes between protesters and ICE agents and aggressive crowd-control measures like rubber bullets.
- Those dramatic images fueled perceptions that the situation might justify federal intervention in Chicago.
Tension Between Presidential Prerogative And Judicial Review
- The administration argues presidential judgment on federalizing the Guard shouldn't be second-guessed by district courts.
- Judges counter that they must review whether statutory conditions are actually met, preserving legal checks.