National Guard Troops Withdrawn from Chicago and Portland Amid Legal Battles

Mon Nov 17 2025 23:49:23 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The withdrawal of National Guard troops from cities like Chicago and Portland comes after ongoing court disputes over their domestic deployment connected to immigration policies during Trump's administration.

Hundreds of National Guard troops are being sent home from Chicago and Portland as part of a re-evaluation of military deployments in U.S. cities, especially amidst ongoing immigration enforcement discussions and legal challenges. While some troops will remain for training, there are legal restrictions on their involvement in operations related to Homeland Security. Critics have voiced concerns regarding the legality of these deployments, arguing they violate states' sovereignty.

Hundreds of National Guard troops deployed to Chicago and Portland, Oregon, are being sent home, with remaining troops staying off the streets due to ongoing court battles over their domestic mission amid President Trump's immigration policies.

The withdrawal is part of a shift in military presence in cities also like Los Angeles, as U.S. Northern Command announced its plans to adjust troop levels after challenges regarding the legal basis for these deployments arose. This is particularly relevant for cities with Democratic leadership that have been targeted by Trump's controversial immigration enforcement policies.

California is returning 200 National Guard troops while retaining some for training purposes in Oregon. In Chicago, approximately 200 Texas National Guard members are also being sent home.

Legal representatives from affected cities argue that these military deployments violate state sovereignty and question their legality, with court decisions already ruling against the administration's authority to deploy troops without proper justification. Recent feedback, especially with the coming holiday season, suggests that these changes are overdue as many city officials have long opposed the military presence.