PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S DEPLOYMENT OF THE NATIONAL GUARD TO A NUMBER OF US CITIES HAS DRAWN A ROUND OF LEGAL CHALLENGES BY STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS.

HE’S ARGUED THAT HIS USE OF THE TROOPS IS NECESSARY TO QUELL VIOLENCE IN DEMOCRATIC-CONTROLLED CITIES, CRACK DOWN ON CRIME AND SUPPORT HIS DEPORTATION INITIATIVES.

HOWEVER, ON WEDNESDAY A FEDERAL JUDGE ORDERED THE ADMINISTRATION TO STOP DEPLOYING NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS IN ONE OF THOSE CITIES - LOS ANGELES.

THE JUDGE PUT THE DECISION ON HOLD UNTIL MONDAY, PRESUMABLY TO GIVE THE ADMINISTRATION A CHANCE TO APPEAL.

AND OTHER DEPLOYMENTS ARE BEING CHALLENGED IN COURT. AS LEGAL BATTLES CONTINUE, WHERE ARE NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS STILL DEPLOYED?

TROOPS HAVE BEEN IN THE NATION’S CAPITAL SINCE TRUMP ORDERED THEM THERE IN AUGUST, WHEN HE ISSUED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER DECLARING A CRIME EMERGENCY IN WASHINGTON.

WITHIN A MONTH, MORE THAN 2,300 NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS FROM EIGHT STATES AND THE DISTRICT WERE PATROLLING THE CITY.

TRUMP DEPLOYED THE NATIONAL GUARD TO MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE IN OCTOBER.

THE SO-CALLED MEMPHIS SAFE TASK FORCE, WHICH INCLUDES HUNDREDS OF PERSONNEL ATTACHED TO ABOUT 30 FEDERAL AND STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND MEMPHIS POLICE, HAS MADE MORE THAN 2,500 ARRESTS.

NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS WERE PREVIOUSLY SENT TO CHICAGO AND PORTLAND, OREGON. THOSE DEPLOYMENTS HAVE BEEN SCALED BACK AMID LEGAL CHALLENGES.

AND IN NEW ORLEANS, BOTH TRUMP AND LOUISIANA GOV. JEFF LANDRY HAVE SAID TROOPS WILL SOON SUPPORT THE FEDERAL AGENTS IN AND AROUND THE CITY.

LANDRY SAID HE EXPECTS NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS TO ARRIVE BEFORE CHRISTMAS.