The month-long deployment of National Guard members to Illinois and Oregon is nearing its resolution. A defense official shared with NBC News that 200 Texas National Guard members in Illinois and 200 California National Guard members in Oregon are set to return to their home states. This drawdown will leave 300 Illinois and 100 Oregon National Guard members still in their respective states. The troops were originally deployed by President Donald Trump as part of his administration's initiative to bolster federal property protection during immigration enforcement operations.
The situation has become a legal quagmire, with multiple court cases challenging the federal deployment of troops in American cities. Illinois' Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson described the move as "an unconditional surrender by the Trump Administration," stating that not only did it compromise safety but also led to "a massive waste of taxpayer dollars." As reported by WGN-TV, the deployment has been critiqued for incurring costs upwards of $12.8 million without an acknowledged impact on city security.
Governors from the affected states have depicted the deployment as gratuitous. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek expressed relief at the news of troops departing. "With the holidays approaching, every single member deserves to go home," Kotek told NBC News. The Illinois governor's office, led by JB Pritzker, has not issued an immediate response regarding the latest developments.
Court interventions have significantly curtailed the Trump administration's efforts, with an appeals court upholding a ruling that barred the deployment in Illinois, and a federal judge in Oregon barring California's National Guard from being deployed in Portland. In the backdrop of these legal tussles, the Trump administration is appealing both decisions. Meanwhile, there's a steady presence of National Guard members in Washington, D.C., which has been extended through early 2026, as the Trump administration continues to grapple with protests against its immigration policies.
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