National Guard Troops Head Home from Chicago and Portland
The Pentagon has decided to pull back some National Guard troops from Chicago and Portland. This move comes a few weeks after President Trump sent them to these cities, claiming there was a rise in crime. Two defense officials, who asked not to be named, shared this news on Sunday.
Troops Returning Home
- Around 200 California National Guard members in Portland
- 200 Texas National Guard troops in Chicago
These troops are expected to return to their home states by Sunday. A spokesperson for California Governor Gavin Newsom confirmed that the Defense Department informed the state about the return of its troops from Oregon. They expressed relief, stating that the troops' return was long overdue.
Background on Deployment
The Trump administration had sent these troops to Chicago and Portland last month. The official reason was to support immigration enforcement personnel who were facing protests. However, the troops never actually joined any immigration operations because of legal challenges against their deployment.
Official Responses
- The Pentagon and a spokesperson for Oregon’s governor did not provide any comments right away.
- A spokesperson for Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said the state had not received any information from the federal government about the withdrawal of troops.
U.S. Northern Command Statement
On Friday, the U.S. Northern Command posted a message on X. They mentioned that the Department would be adjusting the number of troops in Portland, Los Angeles, and Chicago. The goal is to maintain a constant presence in these cities. They also stated that the troops are trained and ready to support law enforcement whenever needed.
Other Deployments and Criticism
President Trump has also sent National Guard troops to other cities led by Democrats, such as Los Angeles, Memphis, and Washington. These deployments have faced criticism from Democrats, who have sued to block them. The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to decide on the legality of Trump’s actions.
