National Guard Withdrawal Completed in Three Major Cities
All federalized National Guard troops have been withdrawn from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, Oregon, according to U.S. Northern Command. The demobilization, completed by , follows President Donald Trump’s announcement in signaling the end of the deployments and a potential return should crime rates escalate in those cities.
The deployments, which began in , were initially authorized under Title 10 – a designation that places National Guard troops under federal control – to support Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and protect federal property amid what the administration described as “immigration unrest.” The move also came as several cities grappled with rising crime rates, echoing a national surge in murders observed in 2020.
More than 5,000 troops were stationed in Los Angeles, approximately 500 in Chicago, and 200 in Portland, Oregon, before the withdrawal. The Washington Post first reported the demobilization on Wednesday.
The withdrawal comes after a series of legal challenges stymied President Trump’s plans for a more visible federal presence in the cities. According to reports, the Trump administration encountered “repeated legal setbacks” in its efforts to maintain a strong force in these locations.
The White House referred inquiries regarding the troop withdrawal to President Trump’s initial announcement made in .
The deployments were controversial from the outset, drawing criticism from local officials who questioned the legal basis for the federal intervention and raised concerns about the militarization of local law enforcement. The administration maintained that the deployments were necessary to protect federal assets and assist in enforcing immigration laws.
The decision to withdraw the troops appears to be a direct result of those legal defeats, signaling a shift in the administration’s strategy. While President Trump has indicated a willingness to redeploy the National Guard if conditions worsen, the current withdrawal marks a significant change in the federal government’s approach to addressing both immigration and crime concerns in these major cities.
U.S. Northern Command, responsible for homeland defense and coordinating defense support during domestic emergencies, confirmed the completion of the demobilization process. The command’s website now reflects the absence of Title 10 National Guard troops in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Portland, Oregon.
