President Donald Trump's deployment of the National Guard in the US state of Illinois faces legal scrutiny at a pivotal court hearing, a day after a small number of troops began protecting federal property in the Chicago area.

US District Judge April Perry will hear arguments over a request to block the deployment of Illinois and Texas guard members.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and local officials strongly oppose the use of the guard.

An "element" of the 200 Texas guard troops sent to Illinois started working in the Chicago area on Wednesday, according to a US Northern Command spokesperson, who spoke to The Associated Press.

The spokesperson did not say where specifically the troops were sent.

The troops, along with about 300 from Illinois, arrived this week at a US Army Reserve Cen

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