President Donald Trump has announced the withdrawal of National Guard troops from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, marking a retreat from one of the most visible parts of his law-and-order agenda. The move comes after courts repeatedly limited the administration’s ability to deploy federal troops in US cities without state consent.
In a social media post, Trump said the decision reflected “greatly reduced” crime in these cities. He also warned that troops could return “in a much different and stronger form” if crime rates rise. The deployments, which began in mid-2025, were intended to support local authorities and protect federal property amid protests and unrest.
However, legal challenges curtailed the effort. In December, the U.S. Supreme Court blocked federal control of National Guard units in Chicago, ruling that Trump overstepped his authority. Lower courts in California and Oregon also returned Guard units to state control, emphasizing governors’ rights to command their troops.
Local officials welcomed the withdrawals. Chicago’s mayor pointed out that violent crime in 2025 fell more than 20% compared with the previous year—the lowest in over a decade. California Governor Gavin Newsom praised the court rulings, saying state control ensures proper management of the Guard. Portland officials similarly criticized the deployments as unnecessary political showmanship.
Critics have accused Trump of using the National Guard for political purposes, while legal experts stressed the limits of presidential authority in domestic troop deployments. Supporters of the president, however, argue the move demonstrates his commitment to public safety.
The rollback underscores the tension between federal and state authority and highlights the legal and political hurdles of using the National Guard domestically. For Trump, it represents a high-profile adjustment in a second term where crime and security remain central themes of his political strategy.
As the National Guard units return to state control, the administration continues to maintain that strong measures may be needed in the future, signaling that the issue could remain a focal point in upcoming political debates.
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