Overview
- U.S. Northern Command says federalized National Guard troops in Los Angeles, Chicago and Portland completed demobilization, with the Pentagon noting they were sent home by Jan. 21 after deployments of more than 5,000 in California, about 500 in Chicago and roughly 200 in Oregon.
- Rulings culminating in a December Supreme Court action that allowed deployments only in exceptional cases—temporarily blocking plans for Chicago—constrained the effort and undercut broader use of Title 10 forces in cities.
- Roughly 2,500 Guard members remain in Washington, D.C., under a nonfederal status, while ongoing Guard missions in Memphis and New Orleans continue under state control despite federal funding.
- Public messaging drew scrutiny after initial reports of a quiet drawdown; The Washington Post issued a correction noting President Trump had announced the removals on Dec. 31 in a Truth Social post.
- The Congressional Budget Office estimated the 2025 deployments cost $496 million with a current burn rate near $93 million per month, as reporting indicates the administration now favors DHS components such as ICE and CBP for unrest responses.