Hundreds of National Guard troops deployed to Portland and Chicago are being sent home
News November 18, 2025

Hundreds of National Guard troops deployed to Portland and Chicago are being sent home

Hundreds of National Guard troops deployed to Chicago and Portland, Oregon, are being sent home, and those who will remain will not be on the streets. That's according to a defense official who requested anonymity because they were not authorized...

**National Guard Troops Deployed to Portland and Chicago Returning Home**

In a move signaling a potential shift in strategy, hundreds of National Guard troops deployed to Portland, Oregon, and Chicago, Illinois, are being sent back to their home states. This decision also includes a directive that remaining National Guard personnel will no longer be stationed on city streets.

The information comes from a defense official speaking on the condition of anonymity. The official explained they were not authorized to publicly discuss the troop movements, but confirmed the ongoing redeployment. While the exact number of troops involved in the initial deployments and the subsequent return is unclear, the official characterized it as "hundreds" across both cities.

The National Guard's presence in Portland and Chicago followed periods of heightened tensions and civil unrest. In Portland, troops were activated in response to sustained protests that began in the summer of 2020. In Chicago, they were deployed amid concerns about rising crime rates and potential for widespread unrest.

The decision to withdraw troops from street patrols raises questions about the future of law enforcement strategies in these cities. It suggests a possible move away from relying on federal military personnel for maintaining order. The role the remaining National Guard members will play, if any, remains uncertain, but they will no longer be directly involved in street-level security.

This redeployment could indicate a shift in the perceived threat level or a change in the approach to addressing the underlying issues that prompted the initial deployments. City officials in Portland and Chicago have yet to release statements regarding the National Guard's departure. The long-term impact of this withdrawal on public safety and community relations remains to be seen. Further details are expected to emerge as the redeployment process continues.
Category: World