President Donald Trump announced the removal of National Guard troops from several major Democrat-run cities after court rulings blocked the deployments, while warning that the federal government would return with force if crime begins climbing again.
The president said Wednesday that National Guard units would be withdrawn from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland for now, despite what he described as significant crime reduction achieved through the federal presence.
The decision followed a string of legal setbacks that challenged the administration’s authority to federalize the Guard in those jurisdictions.
“We are removing the National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, despite the fact that CRIME has been greatly reduced by having these great Patriots in those cities, and ONLY by that fact,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Trump: We are removing the National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, despite the fact that CRIME has been greatly reduced by having these great Patriots in those cities, and ONLY by that fact. pic.twitter.com/gdvd3FWTJL
— Acyn (@Acyn) December 31, 2025
“Portland, Los Angeles, and Chicago were GONE if it weren’t for the Federal Government stepping in,” he added.
Trump said the withdrawal would not be permanent, warning that the federal government would step back in once local conditions deteriorate.
“We will be back, in a much different and stronger form, when crime begins to soar again,” he wrote, calling the return “only a question of time.”
He also criticized Democratic leadership in those cities and states, questioning why they would oppose the deployments despite reported improvements in public safety.
“It is hard to believe that these Democrat Mayors and Governors, all of whom are greatly incompetent, would want us to leave, especially considering the great progress that has been made???” Trump wrote.
The president first sent National Guard troops into Los Angeles in June following clashes between protesters opposing immigration enforcement and law enforcement officers.
Demonstrations tied to federal immigration operations escalated into unrest, prompting the administration to argue that additional manpower was needed to protect federal agents and property.
In October, roughly 500 National Guard members were deployed to the Chicago area. That same month, about 200 troops were activated for Portland, where repeated anti-ICE demonstrations had turned confrontational as protesters clashed with authorities in the streets.
Traditionally, National Guard units operate under the authority of state governors, though federal law allows the president to place them under federal control under limited circumstances.
The Trump administration maintained that the deployments were necessary to safeguard federal officers carrying out immigration enforcement and other federal duties.
Democratic governors in California, Illinois, and Oregon challenged the move in court, filing lawsuits that argued the federalization of their National Guard units amounted to an unlawful overreach of presidential power.
Federal judges ultimately sided with the states, issuing rulings that blocked the deployments.
On Dec. 10, a federal judge ordered National Guard troops in Los Angeles returned to the control of California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Newsom quickly celebrated the ruling and accused the administration of acting outside the law.
“About time @realDonaldTrump admitted defeat,” Newsom wrote on X. “We’ve said it from day one: the federal takeover of California’s National Guard is illegal.”
About time @realDonaldTrump admitted defeat.
We've said it from day one: the federal takeover of California's National Guard is illegal. https://t.co/ZVj8z6OYxe
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) December 31, 2025
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also weighed in, arguing that the administration never had legal grounds to deploy troops in the city.
“Trump is backing away because there was never a legal justification for deploying troops in L.A. and cities across the country,” Bass wrote on X.
“The Constitution still applies to presidents who wish it didn’t,” she added. “Angelenos stood together. We saw through it. The courts saw through it.”
Earlier in the year, Los Angeles had seen violent resistance during protests targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations as the Trump administration expanded its deportation program aimed at criminal illegal immigrants. Federal officials said the unrest justified additional security measures.
In Oregon, Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek said her office had not yet received formal confirmation that the remaining federally controlled National Guard troops could return home. She maintained that their presence in Portland had never been justified.
Trump is backing away because there was never a legal justification for deploying troops in L.A. and cities across the country.
The Constitution still applies to presidents who wish it didn’t.
Angelenos stood together. We saw through it. The courts saw through it.… pic.twitter.com/5gOF8eBKM8
— Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) December 31, 2025
“My office has not yet received official notification that the remaining federalized Oregon National Guard troops can return home,” Kotek commented in a statement.
“They were never lawfully deployed to Portland and there was no need for their presence. If President Trump has finally chosen to follow court orders and demobilize our troops, that’s a big win for Oregonians and for the rule of law.”
The legal fight intensified last week when the Supreme Court declined an emergency request from the Trump administration seeking to keep National Guard troops deployed in Chicago.
The administration argued the troops were necessary to protect federal agents enforcing immigration policies in Illinois.
In an unsigned order, the court rejected that claim, ruling that the administration had not met the legal standard required to invoke federal authority over the Guard.
“At this preliminary stage, the Government has failed to identify a source of authority that would allow the military to execute the laws in Illinois,” the court wrote.
Three justices publicly dissented. Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas argued that the court lacked grounds to second-guess the administration’s assessment of the situation on the ground.
Justice Neil Gorsuch said he would have narrowly sided with the government based on declarations submitted by federal law enforcement officials.
Justice Brett Kavanaugh said he agreed with keeping the Chicago deployment blocked under current circumstances, but indicated the president should retain flexibility to deploy troops in future scenarios if conditions warranted it.
“Donald Trump’s lying again,” Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker wrote on X, while also praising the decision as a victory for the state.
Donald Trump’s lying again.
He lost in court when Illinois stood up against his attempt to militarize American cities with the National Guard. Now Trump is forced to stand down. pic.twitter.com/OKlH0xMhWq
— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) December 31, 2025
“American cities, suburbs, and communities should not have to faced masked federal agents asking for their papers, judging them for how they look or sound, and living in fear that President can deploy the military to their streets,” Pritzker remarked.
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson pushed back on the criticism, defending the president’s actions as necessary to maintain order.
She said Trump activated the National Guard to protect federal personnel and property from what she described as violent rioters.
“Nothing in today’s ruling detracts from that core agenda,” Jackson said. “The Administration will continue working day in and day out to safeguard the American public.”
Following Trump’s latest Truth Social post, Pritzker again accused the president of attempting to militarize cities.
“He lost in court when Illinois stood up against his attempt to militarize American cities with the National Guard. Now Trump is forced to stand down,” the governor shot back.
Even as troops are withdrawn from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, the administration has signaled it remains prepared to deploy National Guard units elsewhere.
Earlier this month, Trump said the Guard would be sent to New Orleans amid concerns over violent crime.
On Dec. 22, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authorized the activation of up to 350 Louisiana National Guard members. The troops will remain under the command of Republican Gov. Jeff Landry through Feb. 28, according to Defense Department spokesman Sean Parnell.
“These National Guard troops will support federal law enforcement partners, including the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security, as they enforce federal law and counter high rates of violent crime in New Orleans and other metropolitan areas in Louisiana,” Parnell remarked.
The Cartels run the courts thus they WANT More crime
The Demcommies SOB’S can say all the BS they want but the highest court in the land said they did, if all the brain dead voters cant see who side the dems are on then GOD help them.
It seems to me that the separation of powers has been tossed out the window. We don’t need an executive branch anymore since the judicial branch is calling all the shots. I completely agree with Trump’s power to use national guard to assist in the duty of the federal government to control our borders and protect our nation from foreign invasion which the previous administration aided and abetted. The amount of damage caused by biden’s criminal administration is staggering.