Hundreds of National Guard Troops to Leave Portland and Chicago, Sources Say

A U.S. Defense Department official has confirmed that hundreds of National Guard members deployed to Portland, Oregon, and Chicago, Illinois, will return to their home states, after being sent on federal orders earlier this year.

The troops in question came from California (approximately 200) heading to Portland, and from Texas (another ~200) heading to Chicago. Their mission was originally authorized by the White House, citing the need to “protect federal personnel and assets” under Title 10 of U.S. law — a provision that lets the president deploy federalized troops.

However, the deployment faced legal obstacles almost immediately. Federal judges blocked the troops from engaging in street operations in both cities, effectively placing them in a “holding pattern” as the legal disputes played out. In Portland, a court permanently barred their deployment, prompting an appeal from the Trump administration.

According to the Defense Department source, the plan now calls for a partial drawdown: the 200 Oregon National Guard members will be cut back to 100, while about 300 Illinois Guard troops – who had also been federalized – will remain under federal authority.

At the same time, U.S. Northern Command issued a brief statement indicating that it is “rightsizing” its Title 10 presence in Portland, Los Angeles, and Chicago to maintain a “constant, enduring, and long-term presence” rather than a temporary surge.