National Guard Troops Withdrawal Amid Controversies

Tue Nov 18 2025 00:24:48 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The U.S. is reducing the number of National Guard troops in Chicago and Portland, while court battles continue over the legality of their domestic deployment during Trump's administration.

In a recent decision, hundreds of National Guard troops deployed to urban areas, including Chicago and Portland, will be sent home as part of a strategic reduction in military presence. Amid ongoing legal battles contesting their deployment under the Trump administration, officials confirmed that remaining troops would be limited in their operations. This shift in troop deployment comes as the holiday season approaches and follows resistance from cities challenged by the President's military actions.

As part of a recent defense strategy, hundreds of National Guard troops currently deployed in Chicago and Portland are being sent home. Remaining troops are set to stay off the streets while court battles over their domestic deployment continue. This decision is seen as part of a broader strategy affecting troop presence in urban areas amid President Trump's controversial immigration policies.

Approximately 200 California National Guard troops stationed in Portland will return home, while about 100 will stay for training purposes. Similarly, around 200 Texas National Guard personnel in Chicago are being sent back, with others standing by at Fort Bliss, a military installation. Additionally, about 300 Illinois National Guard troops will remain in Chicago primarily for training, but current regulations prevent them from conducting any operations under the Department of Homeland Security.

Officials suggest that the impending holiday season may have influenced the decision to revise troop deployments. Criticism of the military's role in civilian issues has been persistent, particularly from cities that feel targeted by federal action. As suggested by California Governor Gavin Newsom’s spokesperson, the troops should not have been deployed initially given the lack of legal grounds. The actions have prompted cities, including Chicago, to file lawsuits arguing against the legality of troop deployments, maintaining that such actions undermine state sovereignty.

Looking forward, it appears the federal government's reliance on military mobilization to address domestic issues could be revisited, especially following a permanent injunction from a U.S. District Judge preventing troop deployment in Portland. As these legal struggles unfold, the military's role in civilian matters remains contentious.