---
title: "Some National Guard troops being withdrawn from Chicago and Portland, officials say"
description: "WASHINGTON, Nov 16 (Reuters) - The Pentagon is withdrawing some National Guard troops from Chicago and Portland, weeks after President Donald Trump deployed them to combat what he described as increased crime, two U.S. defense officials familiar with the decision said on Sunday."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Newsdeck"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-11-16-some-national-guard-troops-being-withdrawn-from-chicago-and-portland-officials-say/"
published: "2025-11-16T21:08:02"
updated: "2025-11-16T21:08:03"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 320
---

# Some National Guard troops being withdrawn from Chicago and Portland, officials say

> WASHINGTON, Nov 16 (Reuters) - The Pentagon is withdrawing some National Guard troops from Chicago and Portland, weeks after President Donald Trump deployed them to combat what he described as increased crime, two U.S. defense officials familiar with the decision said on Sunday.

By Reuters · Published 16 November 2025, 23:08 SAST · Updated 16 November 2025, 23:08 SAST

## Key points
- As the National Guard packs their bags to return home, it seems the only thing they managed to enforce in Portland and Chicago was a masterclass in legal limbo, courtesy of some well-timed lawsuits.
- California and Texas National Guard troops set to return home by Sunday after deployment to Portland and Chicago.
- Lawsuits have prevented troops from participating in immigration enforcement operations in those cities.
- California Governor Newsom's office welcomes the return, calling it "long overdue."
- Ongoing legal challenges may impact future National Guard deployments in Democratic-led cities.

## Content

- National Guard from California, Texas to return to their states as soon as Sunday
- Lawsuits prevent troops from operating in Portland, Chicago

By Idrees Ali and Jasper Ward

One of the officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said 200 California National Guard troops who were sent to Portland and 200 Texas National Guard members who were sent to Chicago would return to their home states as soon as Sunday.

A spokesperson for California Governor Gavin Newsom said the Defense Department has told the state that its National Guard members will start returning from Oregon.

"We're glad they're finally coming home. It's long overdue," Newsom's spokesperson said.

The Trump administration sent the troops to Chicago and Portland last month, saying they were needed to support domestic immigration enforcement personnel who were being confronted by activists and protesters.

However, the troops never joined immigration operations in those cities because of lawsuits challenging their deployment.

The Pentagon and a spokesperson for Oregon's governor did not immediately respond to requests for comments. A spokesperson for Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said the state had not heard from the federal government about a withdrawal of troops.

"In the coming days, the Department will be shifting and/or rightsizing our Title 10 footprint in Portland, Los Angeles, and Chicago to ensure a constant, enduring, and long-term presence in each city," the U.S. Northern Command posted on X on Friday.

"Our troops in each city (and others) are trained and ready, and will be employed whenever needed to support law enforcement and keep our citizens safe."

Trump, a Republican, has also deployed the National Guard to other Democratic-led cities, including Los Angeles, Memphis and Washington.

The deployments were criticized by Democrats who [sued](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL1N3W40JM&linkedFromStory=true) to block them, and the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to decide whether Trump's actions are [lawful](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL6N3UB0PF&linkedFromStory=true).

(Reporting by Idrees Ali and Jasper Ward; Editing by Sergio Non, Alex Richardson and Paul Simao)