Hundreds of National Guard troops deployed to Chicago and Portland, Oregon, are being sent home, and those who will remain will continue to stay off the streets as legal battles unfold over their domestic mission by the Trump administration, a defense official stated on Monday.
The withdrawal of soldiers, sent from California and Texas, is a part of a larger adjustment to troop deployments following President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement measures in cities with Democratic leadership. The source, who requested anonymity due to the confidential nature of the matter, revealed the details.
The U.S. Northern Command explained that it is 'shifting and/or rightsizing' its troops in Portland, Los Angeles, and Chicago, maintaining a consistent presence in each location despite the ongoing changes.
In the coming days, 200 California National Guard troops currently in Oregon will be sent home, while about 100 will remain in the Portland area for training. Additionally, the number of Oregon National Guard troops will decrease from 200 to 100, according to the official.
Approximately 200 Texas National Guard troops stationed in Chicago are also set to return home, while another 200 will remain on standby at Fort Bliss, an Army base shared by Texas and New Mexico.
Despite these reductions, around 300 Illinois National Guard members will stay in the Chicago area for training. However, they are currently not authorized to perform operations linked to the Department of Homeland Security.
The decision to scale back troop deployments comes ahead of the holiday season, which may have influenced the timing, the official noted.
Diana Crofts-Pelayo, a spokesperson for California Governor Gavin Newsom, responded to the troop deployment by stating that Trump should not have had troops illegally deployed in the first place and expressed relief that they are finally returning home.
Cities like Chicago, which filed a separate lawsuit regarding troop deployment, argue that the president has not met legal standards for deploying military personnel, claiming this infringes on state sovereignty.
A recent ruling from U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut in Portland temporarily blocked Trump from deploying troops, asserting he failed to establish a legal justification for the orders. Meanwhile, the administration has lodged an emergency motion to halt this ruling while it seeks to appeal.
Aside from these troop reductions, the Trump administration has ramped up immigration enforcement in cities like Charlotte, North Carolina, juicing its assertive strategies led by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The National Guard's deployments have sparked significant controversy during Trump’s presidency, illustrating a growing inclination to use military forces for domestic objectives.
Troops, including active-duty Marines, were dispatched to Los Angeles earlier this year amidst immigration protests, further highlighting the contentious nature of these actions.
This current shift will see about 100 troops who have been based in Los Angeles remain deployed, while others focus on training and preparing as policy winds continue to shift across the United States.
