President Donald Trump is intensifying efforts to deploy the National Guard in various U.S. cities, citing a "war from within" as justification. Recently, his administration has sent troops to Chicago, Illinois, and attempted to do the same in Portland, Oregon. California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the move, calling it "reckless and authoritarian conduct" and accusing Trump of using the military as a "political weapon" against citizens.

The National Guard serves as a reserve force for the Army and Air Force, with each state maintaining its own unit that answers to both the state governor and the president. While the National Guard has previously assisted during domestic events like natural disasters and protests, Trump's deployments are seen as unprecedented because they often occur without state governors' approval.

Currently, National Guard troops are stationed in Chicago, Los Angeles, Memphis, and Washington, D.C. The administration's attempt to send troops to Portland was blocked by the courts over the weekend. Other cities, including New Orleans, have been identified for potential future deployments. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, a Republican, has requested the deployment of the National Guard in New Orleans and other cities.

Trump's rationale for these deployments centers on a perceived crime crisis, which he claims hampers federal agents' ability to enforce immigration laws. He has described certain cities as "war-ravaged," although he has not provided substantial data to support this assertion. In fact, FBI statistics indicate that crime rates are generally declining in most major cities.

In Chicago, the violent crime rate stands at 540 per 100,000 people, ranking it 201st out of 315 cities with populations over 100,000. Chicago has recorded the highest number of homicides in the U.S. for 13 consecutive years, a statistic the Trump administration has highlighted. However, the city has seen a 24.5% decrease in violent crimes this year compared to the same period last year, and murders have dropped by 49% over the past four years.

Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728 per 100,000 people, ranking 71st among large cities. The city reported a 7.3% reduction in violent crime from June 2023 to May 2024, including a 25% decrease in murders. Memphis, on the other hand, has the highest violent crime rate in the nation at 2,501 per 100,000 people, although it has seen declines in several criminal offenses in recent years.

Portland's violent crime rate is 720 per 100,000 people, placing it 72nd in the rankings. Overall crime in Portland has decreased since 2022, aligning with trends in other major cities. Washington, D.C., has a violent crime rate of 926 per 100,000 people, ranking 36th. Recent data shows a 26% decline in violent crime in the past year, with overall crime down by 7%.

Critics argue that Trump's motivations for deploying the National Guard are politically charged, as all targeted cities are led by Democratic mayors. Civil rights groups have suggested that the deployments may be influenced by the racial demographics of these cities, which predominantly have minority-majority populations. Reverend Al Sharpton condemned the deployment in D.C., stating, "This is laced with bigotry and racism," while the NAACP's D.C. branch president described Trump's actions as rooted in racism and authoritarianism.

The legality of these deployments is complex. The 1878 Posse Comitatus Act generally prohibits military involvement in domestic law enforcement. Critics argue that Trump should not send troops to cities without governors' consent. However, the administration contends that it can do so under Title 10, which allows the president to call the National Guard into federal service during invasions or rebellions.

Legal challenges to these deployments are ongoing. In Chicago, no lawsuit has been filed yet, but plans are in motion. In Los Angeles, Governor Newsom has sued the Trump administration, and a federal judge found the deployment violated the Posse Comitatus Act, issuing a temporary block. In Portland, a federal judge has also temporarily blocked the deployment of National Guard troops, stating that the small protests did not justify federal force. The Trump administration has appealed these rulings, and the legal battles continue to unfold.