HSPRD Partner Margaret Truesdale assisted Protect Democracy United in filing a motion for leave to file an amicus brief on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, in State of Illinois v. Donald J. Trump, the State of Illinois and City of Chicago’s federal lawsuit seeking to enjoin the federalization and deployment of members of the National Guard in Illinois over the objection of the Governor of Illinois.
The amicus brief is on behalf of former U.S. Army and Navy secretaries and retired four-star admirals and generals who, based on their wealth of relevant experience, explained the risks of such a deployment: detracting from the National Guard’s core national security and disaster relief missions, placing deployed personnel in situations for which they lack specific training, and hampering recruitment, retention, morale, and cohesion of the military by inappropriately politicizing it.
Oral argument is scheduled for Thursday, October 9, 2025, on the State of Illinois and City of Chicago’s motion for temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction.
Read the brief here.
