In a move reported December 31, 2025, the Trump administration announced it would withdraw the National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, signaling a retreat from deployments that had drawn sharp backlash in those cities.
The decision comes after federal courts blocked federalization in certain jurisdictions and amid political pressure from city leaders and business groups, as well as ongoing legal battles that complicated the administration’s strategy. Reports noted that several court rulings limited the use of federal troops in domestic cities, contributing to the administration’s decision to pause the deployments.
Officials and local leaders had defended the deployments as a measure to quell violence and restore public safety, while critics argued they infringed on civil liberties and local governance. The backlash from political opponents and some residents intensified in the Democratic-leaning cities where troops were deployed.
Observers have used the term “TACO”—short for Trump Always Chickens Out—to frame the unfolding politics around the decision, noting how markets and pundits discussed the move as a retreat rather than a victory. Some Wall Street commentators suggested the label reflected broader calculations about political risk and public perception.
Trump signaled a potential return to federal deployments in the future, leaving open the possibility that conditions could change and troops could be redeployed should authorities deem it necessary. The episode underscores a broader debate over the role of federal forces in domestic security and the balancing of state and federal powers.