Trump Orders Withdrawal of National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland Amid Legal Battles
WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump announced on December 31, 2025, that the National Guard will be withdrawn “for now” from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, citing significant reductions in crime in these cities as a direct result of the federal deployments. The decision follows a series of legal setbacks after Democratic governors in California, Illinois, and Oregon filed lawsuits challenging the federalization of their National Guard units, arguing that the move was an illegal overreach of executive power.
“We are removing the National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, despite the fact that CRIME has been greatly reduced by having these great Patriots in those cities, and ONLY by that fact,” Trump wrote on his social media platform. “Portland, Los Angeles, and Chicago were GONE if it weren’t for the Federal Government stepping in.” The deployments, which began earlier this year, were part of the Trump administration’s efforts to curb rising crime rates in these Democratic-run cities, which had seen surges in violent incidents.
The presence of National Guard troops was intended to support local law enforcement agencies amid concerns over public safety and federal immigration enforcement. However, the deployments quickly became a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over states’ rights and federal authority. Governors Gavin Newsom of California, J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, and Tina Kotek of Oregon responded with lawsuits seeking to block the federalization of their National Guard units, contending that the federal government lacked legal justification for the move.
Federal judges sided with the states in several rulings, effectively halting the deployments. California Governor Newsom tweeted, “About time @realDonaldTrump admitted defeat. We’ve said it from day one: the federal takeover of California’s National Guard is illegal.” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also criticized the decision to deploy troops, stating on social media, “The Constitution still applies to presidents who wish it didn’t. Angelenos stood together. We saw through it. The courts saw through it.” Oregon Governor Kotek emphasized that the troops were “never lawfully deployed to Portland and there was no need for their presence,” calling the withdrawal “a big win for Oregonians and for the rule of law.”
Illinois Governor Pritzker accused Trump of misrepresenting the reasons for the withdrawal, writing, “Donald Trump’s lying again. He lost in court when Illinois stood up against his attempt to militarize American cities with the National Guard. Now Trump is forced to stand down.”
The National Guard deployments had been controversial from the start, with critics arguing that federalizing state troops infringed on state sovereignty and could escalate tensions in cities already grappling with social unrest. Supporters, including President Trump and some law enforcement officials, maintained that the deployments were necessary to restore order and protect communities.
This development comes amid a broader national conversation about the role of federal forces in local policing and the balance of power between state and federal governments. The National Guard Bureau has historically served as a reserve military force under state control, but the federal government can activate units under certain circumstances.
Legal experts note that the courts’ rulings underscore the complexity of the issue. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the federal government must navigate carefully to respect states’ rights while addressing national security and public safety concerns.
While President Trump framed the withdrawal as a temporary measure, he suggested that National Guard troops could return if crime rates rise again. The administration’s stance signals that the debate over federal intervention in urban crime will likely continue into 2026.
As the National Guard prepares to demobilize from these cities, local officials and community leaders are assessing the impact of the deployments and planning next steps to address public safety challenges. The Federal Bureau of Investigation continues to monitor crime trends nationwide, providing data that will inform future policy decisions.
For now, the withdrawal marks a significant moment in the ongoing struggle over how best to ensure security in America’s largest cities, balancing federal authority with local governance and the rights of citizens.
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