Following months of intense legal disputes and a landmark Supreme Court ruling, President Trump announced on December 31, 2025, that National Guard troops are being withdrawn from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The move marks a significant shift in the administration’s “law and order” strategy, which has seen federal forces stationed in major Democratic-led cities throughout the past year.
The State of the Withdrawal
While the President characterized the exit as a successful completion of a mission, legal experts note that recent court decisions had already made it nearly impossible for the troops to continue operations.
- Los Angeles: Most units had already begun demobilizing in mid-December following a federal court order that restored control of the Guard to California Governor Gavin Newsom.
- Chicago: Roughly 300 troops remained in the city, though they had been confined to their staging areas since a December 23 Supreme Court ruling blocked their active deployment.
- Portland: Although troops were stationed nearby, they never reached full operational status due to a November ruling that deemed the deployment unlawful.
Comparison of Outcomes by City
| City | Deployment Outcome | Local Government Response |
| Chicago | Blocked by Supreme Court | Hailed as a victory for state sovereignty. |
| Los Angeles | Demobilized by Court Order | Governor Newsom cited the return of local control. |
| Portland | Prevented by Federal Judge | Mayor’s office emphasized the city’s self-governance. |
Diverging Perspectives
The announcement has sparked a sharp divide in rhetoric between the White House and city leaders:
The President’s View: In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that federal intervention saved these cities from “total destruction” and suggested that the withdrawal is only temporary, stating, “We will come back… Only a question of time!”
Local Leaders’ View: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and other officials have pushed back, citing data that shows crime rates were already trending downward. They argue the federal presence was a political maneuver rather than a public safety necessity.
What Happens Next?
While the Guard is exiting these three specific hubs, federal deployments remain active in Washington, D.C. and Memphis. The administration maintains that these locations still require a federal presence to protect government property and assist local law enforcement.
