National Guard withdrawal begins from Chicago, Portland

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
16 Nov 2025 23:34

The Pentagon has begun withdrawing National Guard troops from Chicago and Portland after Trump’s deployment sparked legal challenges and political backlash.

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National Guard soldiers patrol on the National Mall, Thursday, November 13, 2025, in Washington (AP)

The Pentagon has begun withdrawing National Guard troops from Chicago and Portland, weeks after US President Donald Trump deployed them to support immigration enforcement and respond to what he described as surging crime in several US cities, two defense officials said Sunday.

One official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that 200 California National Guard troops stationed in Portland and 200 Texas Guard members deployed to Chicago would begin returning to their home states as early as Sunday.

A spokesperson for California Governor Gavin Newsom said the Defense Department had notified the state of the move. “We’re glad they’re finally coming home. It’s long overdue,” the spokesperson said.

Officials in Oregon and Illinois said they had not yet received direct communication from federal authorities regarding the Pentagon troop reassignment, and there was no immediate comment from the US Department of Defense.

The Trump National Guard deployment drew criticism from Democratic leaders and legal challenges questioning the legality and necessity of placing federal troops in Democratic-led cities.

California, Texas troops to return home

The Trump administration initially deployed the troops last month, citing the need to protect federal immigration enforcement personnel allegedly facing resistance from activists and protesters in cities like Chicago and Portland.

However, the federal troops in US cities did not actively participate in immigration operations due to ongoing lawsuits challenging their role. Critics argued the deployments were politically motivated and lacked clear legal grounding.

Deployments faced legal pushback, limited activity

The Title 10 military presence, which refers to federal control of military forces, remains in place in other cities where troops have been stationed, including Los Angeles, Memphis, and Washington, D.C.

Democratic leaders in several of these cities have opposed the deployments, and the issue has reached the US Supreme Court, which is expected to decide whether the Trump administration’s actions were lawful.

On Friday, US Northern Command stated on X that the military would continue to assess and adjust its deployment levels, stating, “In the coming days, the Department will be shifting and/or rightsizing our Title 10 footprint in Portland, Los Angeles, and Chicago to ensure a constant, enduring, and long-term presence in each city.”

The command also noted that troops across those cities are trained, ready, and will be “employed whenever needed to support law enforcement and keep our citizens safe.”

NORTHCOM, under the direction from the Department of War, is constantly refining and improving our plans and capabilities to defend the Homeland. Our work to protect federal functions, personnel, and property remains a top priority — each and every day. We are prepared to commit…
— U.S. Northern Command (@USNorthernCmd) November 15, 2025

While the National Guard withdrawal from Chicago and Portland marks a reduction in federal presence, Trump’s broader use of troops in US cities remains under scrutiny. The decision from the Supreme Court could have long-term implications for executive authority over domestic military deployments.