National Guard Troop Withdrawals Signal Shift in Federal Deployment Strategy
The Biden administration is scaling back the presence of National Guard troops in several major U.S. cities, reversing a controversial policy initiated during the Trump administration. Hundreds of troops deployed to Chicago, Portland, Oregon, and Los Angeles are being sent home, as legal battles continue over the federal government’s authority to deploy military personnel for domestic law enforcement support.
The pullback, announced Monday by a defense official, marks a significant change in strategy following President Trump’s immigration crackdown and broader efforts to assert federal authority in cities with Democratic leadership. According to the official, the withdrawal is occurring as the administration reevaluates troop deployments.
US Northern Command confirmed Sunday it was “shifting and/or rightsizing” units in the aforementioned cities, while maintaining a “constant, enduring, and long-term presence” in each location. This suggests a move away from visible deployments toward a more behind-the-scenes support role.
In the coming days, all 200 California National Guard troops stationed in Portland will return home. The military also intends to reduce the number of Oregon National Guard troops deployed there from 200 to 100 soldiers. Similarly, approximately 200 Texas National Guard troops in Chicago are being recalled, with another 200 placed on standby at Fort Bliss, spanning parts of Texas and New Mexico.
While a significant number of troops are being withdrawn, around 300 Illinois National Guard members will remain in the Chicago area for training purposes. However, they are currently prohibited from operating directly with the Department of Homeland Security, the defense official clarified. The approaching holiday season was also cited as a potential factor in the deployment adjustments.
The decision to recall troops has been met with praise from state governors who opposed the initial deployments. Diana Crofts-Pelayo, a spokesperson for California Governor Gavin Newsom, stated that Trump “never should have illegally deployed our troops in the first place,” adding, “We’re glad they’re finally coming home. It’s long overdue!”
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek echoed this sentiment, calling on the federal government to demobilize the remaining 100 troops in her state. “Members of the Oregon National Guard, who are our friends and neighbors, have been away from their families and jobs for 50 days on an unnecessary deployment,” Kotek said in a written statement. “With the holidays approaching, every single member deserves to go home.”
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker criticized the Trump administration’s lack of communication with state leaders and warned of continued threats to federalize additional troops. “This confirms what we have always known: This is about normalizing military forces in American cities,” a statement from Pritzker’s spokesman, Matt Hill, asserted.
Democratic-led cities, including Chicago, which has filed a lawsuit currently before the US Supreme Court, have consistently challenged the legality of the troop deployments. These cities argue that the president did not meet the legal requirements for deploying troops and that such actions infringe upon states’ rights.
A recent ruling by US District Judge Karin Immergut in Portland permanently blocked Trump from deploying troops to the city, finding that he had failed to demonstrate legal justification for the action. The administration has since filed an emergency motion to stay the ruling while it pursues an appeal.
The shift in troop deployments comes as the Trump administration simultaneously increases immigration enforcement efforts in Charlotte, North Carolina, spearheaded by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
National Guard deployments have been a defining and contentious issue of Trump’s presidency, signaling a willingness to utilize the military for domestic objectives. Earlier this year, troops—including active-duty Marines—were deployed to Los Angeles during immigration protests and to Washington, D.C., in response to claimed crime problems. These deployments subsequently expanded to Portland and Chicago. While not directly involved in law enforcement, National Guard members have been assigned to protect federal facilities, particularly those operated by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Approximately 100 troops will remain deployed in Los Angeles, according to the defense official. This scaled-back presence suggests a recalibration of federal strategy, moving away from overt military displays and toward a more nuanced approach to domestic security.
