Trump withdraws troops from US cities, warns of return 'in a much stronger form' if crime rises

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump has followed through on his December 2025 promise to withdraw federalized National Guard troops from several major US cities.

The move, confirmed in January, after the administration says violent crime has dropped sharply during the deployment, comes with a warning from the president that the troops could return “in a much different and stronger form” if crime begins to rise again.

Donald Trump announces withdrawal of Title 10 National Guard troops

All Title 10 National Guard troops deployed to Los Angeles, Chicago and Portland, Oregon, have now been demobilized, according to US Northern Command. The command, which oversees homeland defense and domestic military support, states that the troops were officially withdrawn as of January 21.

Trump had federalized and deployed the National Guard under Title 10 in June 2025. At the time, he said the move was necessary to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and federal property during immigration-related unrest. 

The cities involved have also faced serious crime challenges in recent years, including during 2020 when the nation recorded its largest single-year increase in murders since the FBI began tracking the data in the 1960s.

More than 5,000 troops were sent to Los Angeles, about 500 to Chicago and 200 to Portland. The Washington Post first reported Wednesday that all of those troops have now been demobilized.

When approached for comment, the White House referred to Trump’s announcement from December 31, 2025.

“We are removing the National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, despite the fact that CRIME has been greatly reduced by having these great Patriots in those cities, and ONLY by that fact,” Trump wrote.

“Portland, Los Angeles, and Chicago were GONE if it weren’t for the Federal Government stepping in.”

Donald Trump warns troops will return if crime surges again

While announcing the withdrawal, Trump made it clear that the decision may not be permanent.

“We will come back, perhaps in a much different and stronger form, when crime begins to soar again - Only a question of time!” he wrote.

He also criticized Democratic leaders in those cities, adding, “It is hard to believe that these Democrat Mayors and Governors, all of whom are greatly incompetent, would want us to leave, especially considering the great progress that has been made???"

Title 10 troops operate under federal active-duty orders, which makes them different from National Guard forces deployed under state control. Even though the troops in Los Angeles, Chicago and Portland have been withdrawn, National Guard members remain stationed in other cities under different legal arrangements.

For example, Guard members are still present in Washington, DC, under a nonfederal status. Troops are also on the ground in New Orleans and Memphis, Tennessee, under separate agreements between their governors and the administration.

Legal battles and pushback from Democratic leaders

The deployments were controversial from the start. Local leaders and Democratic officials in Portland, Los Angeles and Chicago strongly opposed the move, calling it unnecessary and politically motivated. Several legal challenges were filed, arguing that the administration bypassed governors and overstepped its authority.

In December 2025, the Supreme Court temporarily blocked a planned deployment to Chicago, stating that the administration failed to “identify a source of authority that would allow the military to execute the laws in Illinois.”

California Governor Gavin Newsom was among the most vocal critics. In October 2025, as the state challenged the federalization in court, he said, “President Trump turned the National Guard against the communities they swore to serve. This is unlawful and immoral.”

He added, “The National Guard deserves better than being treated like Trump’s toy soldiers and when they’re returned to California command, we’ll get them back to doing the real work they signed up to do.”

White House credits Trump’s approach for crime drop

The withdrawal comes as the administration points to falling crime numbers across the country. The Major Cities Chiefs Association reported this month that, based on data from 67 major police departments, homicides dropped 19% in US cities. Robberies fell by 20%, and aggravated assaults declined by 10%.

The White House directly linked those numbers to Trump’s policies.

“This is the direct result of President Trump’s aggressive, no-nonsense approach to public safety,” the White House said Wednesday.

“By surging federal resources to Democrat-run cities that had devolved into war zones, removing savage criminal illegals from our streets, supporting police and prosecutors and rejecting the radical left’s weakness, President Trump’s decisive actions have turned the tide, saved countless lives and restored peace to communities long abandoned by Democrat politicians who prioritized criminals over citizens.”