Trump Claims Unquestioned Power to Deploy National Guard in Chicago, San Francisco Amid Legal Battles

President Donald Trump has asserted his "unquestioned power" under the Insurrection Act to deploy National Guard troops in U.S. cities, including a planned federal intervention in San Francisco. Trump claimed that about half of U.S. presidents have used this authority, which allows the federal government to federalize National Guard units during rebellions or when federal laws cannot be executed effectively. Despite local opposition in cities like San Francisco, where officials report crime reductions and express confidence in local law enforcement, Trump is pushing forward with deployments to address what he describes as safety concerns. Legal challenges have arisen, notably in Chicago, where courts blocked the deployment due to lack of evidence for rebellion or significant obstruction of federal law enforcement, and the Trump administration has appealed to the Supreme Court. The 7th Circuit Court, including a Trump appointee, upheld the block on Chicago deployments, emphasizing judicial review despite Trump's claims that such decisions are unreviewable executive discretion. This ongoing dispute highlights tensions between federal authority and local governance over the use of military forces domestically.