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Pentagon Scales Back Guard Presence in Portland and Chicago

Court injunctions have kept troops off city streets as the administration seeks Supreme Court backing for its reading of 10 U.S.C. §12406.

Overview

  • The Defense Department is sending home 200 California Guard members from Oregon and 200 Texas Guard members from Illinois, reducing the footprint but leaving smaller in‑state contingents in place.
  • A memo shows the Texas National Guard departed Illinois on Monday after a 41‑day stint largely confined to a suburban training site due to court restrictions.
  • U.S. Northern Command said it is “shifting and/or rightsizing” units and will keep a long‑term presence, with remaining personnel conducting training and not assigned to street operations.
  • A federal judge in Oregon permanently blocked deployments to Portland, the Seventh Circuit signaled skepticism about the Illinois mobilization, and the Supreme Court requested briefing on the statute’s “regular forces” requirement.
  • Governors in Oregon and Illinois continue to oppose the deployments, and a defense official said operational factors, including the approaching holidays, contributed to the decision to send out‑of‑state troops home.