At a Glance
- Trump ends National Guard deployments in Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland.
- A 6-3 Supreme Court decision rejected his request to send Guard to Chicago.
- Only 100 troops remain active in Los Angeles as of Dec 15.
- Why it matters: The move limits federal law-enforcement presence in major Democratic-led cities.
President Trump announced Wednesday that federal forces would be withdrawn from Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland, stating that the National Guard would return only if crime surged again.
Supreme Court Decision
The Supreme Court, in a 6-3 ruling, held that federal law generally bars federal troops from civilian law enforcement. The Court noted that the law Trump invoked likely applies only when the president cannot enforce laws with regular military forces. Justices Alito, Thomas, and Gorsuch dissented, while Kavanaugh joined the majority but added a separate opinion that he would have ruled more narrowly.
Deployment Status
- Los Angeles: peaked at 4,000+ troops; 100 remain active as of Dec 15, per U.S. Northern Command.
- Chicago and Portland: very few troops ever deployed due to legal challenges.
- Washington, D.C.: a federal judge blocked deployment in November, but an appeals court has allowed it to continue while the appeal proceeds.
Trump’s Statement
President Trump wrote on Truth Social:
> “Portland, Los Angeles, and Chicago were GONE if it weren’t for the Federal Government stepping in… We will come back… when crime begins to soar again – Only a question of time!”
He questioned why the cities would want the troops to leave, stating:
> “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???”
Key Takeaways
- Trump has withdrawn National Guard from three major cities after a Supreme Court ruling.
- The Court affirmed federal law limits on troop involvement in civilian policing.
- Only a small number of troops remain in Los Angeles, with none in Chicago or Portland.
The announcement marks a significant shift in federal law-enforcement strategy amid ongoing legal battles over the President’s use of the National Guard.
