Holiday Withdrawal: National Guard Troops Head Home

The Pentagon has decided to pull back some National Guard troops from Chicago and Portland. This move comes after President Trump sent them to these cities just a few weeks ago, despite local leaders' strong opposition. Around 200 soldiers from California, who were sent to Portland, and 200 from Texas, who went to Chicago, will be heading home soon. This decision was made because these troops never actually got to do their job. They were supposed to help federal law enforcement and protect buildings, but legal issues stopped them from doing so. With holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up, Pentagon officials thought it was best to send these soldiers home instead of keeping them in limbo. About 300 Illinois National Guard members will stay in Chicago, and around 100 Oregon National Guard troops will remain in Portland. The Pentagon hasn't officially announced this withdrawal yet, but Northern Command hinted at changes to the troops' mission in these cities. The troops from Texas and California were activated by Trump in early October. Northern Command stated that troops in various cities are ready to support law enforcement and keep citizens safe. However, a spokesman for Illinois Governor JB Pritzker mentioned that state officials hadn't been notified about the Pentagon's action. He also noted that the Trump administration plans to keep federalizing National Guard troops for a long-term presence in cities. In Illinois, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking the deployment of National Guard troops in Chicago. This decision was upheld by an appeals panel, and the U. S. Supreme Court is now considering the issue. In California, officials in Governor Gavin Newsom's office were notified that the California National Guard would begin withdrawing from Portland.