National Guard Troops to Return Home Amid Ongoing Protests in Portland and Chicago

National Guard Troops to Return Home Amid Ongoing Protests

Portland, OR & Chicago, IL — In a significant development, hundreds of National Guard troops dispatched from California and Texas to assist in managing protests against the Trump administration’s immigration policies will be returning to their home states. A Defense Department official confirmed to CBS News on Saturday that approximately 400 federalized soldiers—200 from California stationed in Portland and another 200 from Texas in Chicago—will be withdrawn.

The deployment, which was framed by the White House as a necessary measure to “protect federal assets and personnel,” invoked Title 10 of the federal code. This legal provision allows for military intervention if the president perceives a rebellion or imminent threat to government authority. However, federal judges have intervened, blocking the actual deployment of these troops to the streets of both cities amid ongoing legal disputes initiated by local and state officials.

The Trump administration has appealed a ruling that permanently barred the deployment of National Guard troops in Portland, seeking intervention from the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, the number of federalized Oregon National Guard members will be reduced from 200 to 100, while approximately 300 Illinois National Guard members will remain under federal control.

This decision comes as U.S. Northern Command announced plans to “rightsize” the Title 10 footprint in Portland, Los Angeles, and Chicago, aiming for a sustained military presence in these cities. Protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities have persisted for months, with local officials criticizing the federal response as an unnecessary escalation.

The deployment of National Guard troops has also extended to other cities, including Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Memphis, under the pretext of maintaining order and protecting federal property. As tensions continue to rise, the return of these troops marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing dialogue surrounding federal intervention in local protests.

As the situation unfolds, local leaders and community members remain vigilant, advocating for peaceful resolutions to the ongoing unrest. The implications of these military deployments and their subsequent withdrawal will likely resonate in the political landscape as the nation grapples with issues of immigration, civil rights, and federal authority.

Contributed by Eleanor Watson