President Donald Trump just pulled the plug on his controversial plan to station National Guard troops in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, Oregon, signaling a rare retreat amid a storm of legal battles.
Trump announced the decision in a social media post Wednesday, claiming, “We will come back, perhaps in a much different and stronger form, when crime begins to soar again - Only a question of time!” as reported by Military.com.
Legal walls sprang up fast against Trump’s push to federalize state troops in these Democratic strongholds, with governors and local leaders fiercely resisting what they saw as overreach. Courts, including the Supreme Court in December, dealt blows by refusing to greenlight deployments in Chicago and issuing blocks in Portland.
Legal Roadblocks Force a Stand-Down
Trump’s initial move to deploy troops kicked off in Los Angeles back in June, with 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines sent to guard federal property during immigration arrest protests. By Dec. 15, most were pulled off the streets after court rulings shifted control back to California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
In Portland, hundreds of troops from California and Oregon were mobilized but never hit the streets due to a federal judge’s permanent block in November. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek declared, “They were never lawfully deployed to Portland and there was no need for their presence,” celebrating the rollback as a victory for state authority.
Chicago saw no boots on the ground at all, as legal challenges halted the plan before it could start. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker took to X, stating, “Trump lost in court when Illinois stood up against his attempt to militarize American cities with the National Guard,” framing the retreat as a win for local control.
Crime Claims Spark Sharp Debate
Trump insists the mere threat of troops curbed crime in these cities, a bold assertion that local leaders swiftly shot down. Portland Mayor Keith Wilson’s office credited local police and safety programs for any reductions, while Chicago officials pointed to 416 homicides in 2025, the lowest since 2014, as proof of their own efforts.
This isn’t about federal muscle saving the day; it’s about cities grinding out results despite Washington’s meddling. Trump’s narrative of soaring crime waiting to return feels like a convenient setup for future power plays.
The president has long pitched a hardline stance on urban crime as a political winner, even floating the Insurrection Act to bypass court interference. Yet, with legal setbacks piling up, this temporary withdrawal raises questions about how far that strategy can go.
State Power Clashes with Federal Ambition
In California, Gov. Newsom didn’t mince words after the Ninth Circuit ordered control of the Guard back to him, posting, “About time (Trump) admitted defeat.” His stance reflects a broader pushback from state leaders unwilling to let federal agendas override local governance.
Elsewhere, Trump’s deployments hold ground, like in Washington, D.C., where troops remain since August under a “crime emergency” declaration. A D.C. Circuit pause on a lower court ruling keeps them in place, showing not every battle is lost for the administration.
In Memphis, the Tennessee National Guard’s deployment continues under a state appeal, backed by Republican Gov. Bill Lee, despite local Democratic opposition. New Orleans also sees 350 troops in the French Quarter through Mardi Gras, with both state and city leaders on board.
What’s Next for Urban Policy?
Trump’s decision to stand down in these three cities doesn’t signal an end to his tough-on-crime focus, but rather a tactical shift under judicial pressure. The lingering presence of troops in other areas suggests this fight over federal versus state power is far from settled.
For now, Democratic-led cities breathe a sigh of relief, but Trump’s warning of a “stronger” return keeps the tension alive. If crime stats tick up, expect this debate to reignite with even sharper edges.
This rollback highlights a deeper divide over who gets to call the shots on public safety, statehouses or the White House. As midterms loom, Trump’s law-and-order rhetoric will likely keep testing the limits of federal reach, while governors stand ready to push back.
