Table of Contents
- Withdrawal of Troops
- President's Statement
- Legal Challenges
- Background of Deployments
- Recent Incidents
Donald Trump has announced the withdrawal of National Guard troops from three major cities in a surprising New Year’s Eve decision.
The President removed troops from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland on Wednesday, touting the successes of these troops in lowering the crime rates in these three Democratic cities.
Trump has announced the withdrawal of troops in Los Angeles, Chicago, and PortlandCredit: Getty
Trump has faced significant backlash from far-left activists since the deployment of troops earlier in the yearCredit: AFP
National Guard troops were initially deployed to safeguard ICE agentsCredit: AFP
However, he claimed that their efforts had been hindered by local opposition.
“We are withdrawing the National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, despite the fact that crime has significantly decreased due to the presence of these great patriots in those cities, and only because of that fact,” he stated on his social media platform Truth Social.
“We may return, perhaps in a much different and stronger capacity,” he added.
“When crime begins to rise again – which is just a matter of time, it’s hard to believe that these Democratic mayors and governors, who are all incredibly incompetent, would want us to leave, especially considering the significant progress that has been made.”
The President deployed the troops in early 2025, primarily to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, who were tasked with conducting raids on suspected illegal immigrants, amidst violent protests from far-left activists.
Trump asserted that the troops’ presence would help to lower crime rates.
The deployments faced immediate legal challenges as federal courts – including the Supreme Court last week – ruled that the President lacked the authority to use soldiers without fulfilling specific legal criteria.
One example of the legal criteria would be suppressing a rebellion.
Many of the troops had indeed been prevented from deployment, placed on standby, or partially withdrawn.
Trump’s announcement came on New Year’s Eve, following the December 23 decision from the Supreme Court to uphold the blocks on the Chicago deployment.
This blockage subsequently halted troop deployments in Portland and Los Angeles.
His withdrawal of troops follows months of tension between ICE agents and the public.
In October, U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut ruled against the President as sought by California and Oregon.
Earlier, Trump had authorized the deployment of 300 National Guard troops in Chicago after an armed woman was shot by Border Patrol agents amid escalating anti-ICE protests.
The U.S. President approved the deployment in response to “ongoing violent riots and lawlessness.”
A statement from the White House declared: “President Trump will not ignore the lawlessness affecting American cities.”
The President faced legal challenges regarding the deployment of the troopsCredit: AFP
He claimed that the presence of troops had reduced crime rates in the trio of citiesCredit: Getty
This decision followed reports that “defensive shots” were fired in Brighton Park after agents were “rammed by 10 cars” and “boxed in.”
The federal agents were “unable to move their vehicles and exited the car,” spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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