Trump Withdraws National Guard from Major Cities Amid Crime Concerns

On December 31, 2025, President Donald Trump announced the withdrawal of National Guard troops from three major cities: Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland. This decision marks a significant change in strategy, as the President cited a reduction in crime rates attributed to the presence of the troops. However, he warned that the National Guard could return if crime levels rise again.

In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump claimed, “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.” He expressed skepticism about the local leadership, 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.”

The National Guard was initially deployed in early 2025 to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents amid escalating protests against immigration enforcement. The President authorized the deployment of 300 troops to Chicago after a violent incident involving Border Patrol agents and local demonstrators. The White House emphasized that the President “will not turn a blind eye to the lawlessness plaguing American cities.”

Legal challenges arose as federal courts, including the Supreme Court, ruled that Trump lacked the authority to deploy military personnel without meeting specific legal criteria, such as the need to quell a rebellion. The Supreme Court’s decision on December 23, which upheld restrictions on the Chicago deployment, effectively halted troop movements in Portland and Los Angeles as well.

Despite these legal hurdles, Trump’s administration maintained that the National Guard’s presence was essential for public safety. A statement from spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin detailed an incident where ICE agents were surrounded by vehicles and forced to return fire when one driver was found armed.

Local opposition to the National Guard’s presence has been significant. In October, U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut granted a temporary restraining order against the deployment in California and Oregon, reflecting ongoing tensions between federal enforcement actions and community responses.

The withdrawal of troops aligns with Trump’s narrative of combating crime but raises questions about the future of federal law enforcement in urban areas. The President hinted at a potential return of the National Guard, stating, “We will come back, perhaps in a much different and stronger form, when crime begins to soar again – only a question of time.”

As the situation evolves, the impact of this withdrawal on crime rates in these cities remains to be observed. The ongoing debate surrounding federal intervention in local law enforcement continues to be a contentious issue in American politics.