US Withdraws National Guard Troops from Portland and Chicago Amid Court Battles

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The US is withdrawing hundreds of National Guard troops deployed to Portland, Oregon, and Chicago, marking a shift in the country's immigration enforcement strategy. The move comes amid ongoing court battles over the Trump administration's deployment of troops, with a defense official stating that those remaining will continue to stay off the streets. As part of a larger change to troop deployments, around 200 California National Guard troops currently in Oregon will be sent home, with about 100 remaining in the Portland area for training. The military plans to cut in half the number of Oregon National Guard troops on deployment, from 200 to 100. Similarly, around 200 Texas National Guard troops in Chicago are being sent home, while about 300 Illinois National Guard troops will remain in the Chicago area for training. However, they are not currently authorized to conduct operations with the Department of Homeland Security. A spokesperson for California Governor Gavin Newsom welcomed the move, stating that the troops should never have been deployed in the first place. The change in deployments may be linked to the upcoming holiday season, according to the defense official. The Trump administration has faced criticism for its use of the National Guard to enforce domestic policies, with deployments taking place in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and other cities. Although the troops do not play a law enforcement role, they have been tasked with protecting federal facilities, particularly those run by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.