President Trump announced that he is temporarily halting his efforts to deploy National Guard troops in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, Oregon, due to legal obstacles. The troops had already been withdrawn from Los Angeles, where they were previously deployed this year as part of a broader strategy against crime and immigration. While troops were sent to Chicago and Portland, they never hit the streets due to ongoing legal disputes.
The President has emphasized a tough stance on crime in cities as a key focus of his second term. He has contemplated using the Insurrection Act to prevent opponents from using legal means to thwart his plans. Trump views his crime-fighting approach as a beneficial political strategy leading up to the upcoming midterm elections.
In November, U.S. Northern Command announced adjustments in operations in Portland, Chicago, and Los Angeles, ensuring a sustained presence in each city. Legal challenges have consistently impeded Trump’s attempts to deploy troops in cities led by Democrats.
The Supreme Court declined a request from the Trump administration to deploy National Guard troops in the Chicago area for immigration enforcement. Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., the Attorney General sought to block the deployment of over 2,000 guardsmen.
Despite troops being dispatched from California and Oregon to Portland, a federal judge prohibited their deployment on the streets. The court permanently blocked the deployment in November following a trial. In Los Angeles, California National Guard troops were withdrawn following a court ruling. The Trump administration abandoned its request for a pause in the court order, enabling the troops to return to state control.
California’s Attorney General hailed the decision as a significant legal victory, criticizing the politicization of the National Guard. Trump also attempted to deploy the Tennessee National Guard to Memphis to combat crime, but this move was thwarted by a Tennessee judge siding with Democratic officials who opposed the deployment.