A monthslong effort by the Trump administration to deploy National Guard troops under federal control in U.S. cities keeps evolving amid a barrage of legal challenges.
The deployments have ramped up and down in cities including Los Angeles, Washington DC, Chicago, Portland and Memphis. The administration often cited crime and protests as reasons for the deployments over the legal objections of local leaders.
Trial courts around the country have ruled the deployments are illegal and unwarranted, but the administration has challenged these rulings in appeals courts, often resulting in orders blocking the deployments being put on hold.
A federal judge in California, for example,ordered an end to Trump's deployment of National Guard troopsin Los Angeles on Dec. 10. The decision came just days after anappeals court paused a lower court orderthat would have ended the deployment in Washington, DC on Dec. 11.
The scene in Washington, DC, as National Guard troops deploy on the streets
All eyes are currently on theU.S. Supreme Court, which is expected to weigh in on whether Trump can deploy the National Guard in Chicagowhile the case progresses. It's a decision that likely won't put an end to the litigation, but could have implications for other cities, according to Joseph Nunn, a legal expert on National Guard deployments with the Brennan Center's Liberty and National Security Program.
"While the Supreme Court has just been sitting on this and presumably writing opinions, everyone else is kind of holding their breath," said Nunn.
Meanwhile, the status of the Guard deployments has been constantly in flux with many now remaining under federal control but unable to be deployed as the legal battles play out.
Here's a look at where things stand across the nation
Los Angeles
When were National Guard troops deployed and why? Los Angeles became one of the first locations for Trump's National Guard deployments in June. The administration sent about 4,000 California guardsmen and 700 Marines to Los Angeles to protect federal personnel and property amid demonstrations against a wave of immigration raids that sometimes turned violent.
Are troops still on the ground? As immigration protests dwindled, the Pentagon withdrew a majority of the troops. But the administration issued new orders federalizing the remaining 300 California National Guard troops first through November and then through February. As of Dec. 11, 100 federalized California National Guard members remain at various locations in LA, according to court documents.
What have courts said? Gov. Gavin Newsom swiftly sued the administration, arguing Trump had overstepped his authority. U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer ruled that Trump had deployed the Guard unlawfully, but a federal appeals court let Trump retain control of the state's National Guard while the governor's lawsuit proceeded. California challenged the new orders federalizing troops through February, and Breyer sided with the state again on Dec. 10.
Chicago
When were National Guard troops deployed and why? Trump deployed 300 Illinois National Guard troops to the city in October to support immigration enforcement officers facing fierce pushback from protestors.
Are troops still on the ground? Three hundred Illinois National Guard members remain federalized but are "not engaging in Federal Protection Mission operational activities," according to NORAD and U.S. Northern Command. Troops from Texas reportedly began withdrawing from Chicago in November, Reuters reported.
What have courts said? State and local leaders immediately sued the Trump administration after troops were deployed. A federal judge in Chicago temporarily blocked the deployment, saying it "is likely to lead to civil unrest." A federal appeals court largely upheld that decision, but said Trump could still federalize the National Guard, and troops already deployed don't need to return home yet. Trump has asked the Supreme Court to remove a lower court's block on his deployment of troops in Chicago. The high court asked both sides to explain their interpretation of language in the statute that gives the president the authority to federalize the Guard, and a decision could come any day, Nunn said.
Will this case impact other cities? "Whatever we get from the Supreme Court is almost certainly not going to be some kind of final merit ruling," Nunn said. "But it is still going to have a very profound impact, I'm sure, on both the Illinois case, but also the Portland and Los Angeles cases just because the lower courts are going to look to see what the Supreme Court does and take guidance from that."
Portland
When were National Guard Troops deployed and why? Trump announced in September he was sending the Guard to Portland, a liberal stronghold he described as "war ravaged" and "burning to the ground."
Are troops still on the ground? Gov. Tina Kotek said on Nov. 19 that 100 of the 200 Oregon National Guard members who were put under federal control on Sept. 28 would remain federalized. The announcement, prompted by a temporary order from the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, was a major reversal that came an hour after the governor said all the troops would be returning home. Newsom's office said the Defense Department told the state that its National Guard members would start returning from Oregon, Reuters reported in November.
What have courts said? The deployment was immediately challenged in court by city and state officials. In early October, U.S. District Court judge Karin Immergut, a Trump appointee, issued temporary restraining orders blocking the federalization and deployment of the National Guard troops from Oregon and any other state. After a three-day trial in early November, Immergut ruled troops could not be deployed in Portland. The Trump administration has appealed that decision to the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, where it previously received a favorable ruling in the Los Angeles case.
Washington, DC
When were National Guard troops deployed and why? Trump sent thousands of federal agents and National Guard troops into the nation's capital after declaring a "crime emergency" on Aug. 11.
Are troops still on the ground? The administration announced it would deploy 500 more troops in response to a deadly "ambush" on two guardsmen. Approximately 2,781 National Guard members are on the ground in Washington, according to the Joint Task Force – District of Columbia.
What have courts said? The city government sued the Trump administration in September, arguing the deployment is unconstitutional and violates federal law. U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb sided with the city, temporarily blocking the administration from deploying troops to enforce the law without approval from Mayor Muriel Bowser. But an appeals court lifted Cobb's injunction, which would have forced troops to leave by Dec. 11. The order is temporary and does not address the merits of the case.
Will this case impact other cities? Trump's authority to use the guard in Washington is unique because it is the seat of the federal government. That means "basically everything" about the case is different than the litigation in other cities and the impact of the outcome will be limited to DC, Nunn said.
Memphis
When were National Guard troops deployed and why? Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, a Republican, welcomed the president's September announcement that he would deploy troops to Memphis despite objections from Mayor Paul Young.
Are troops still on the ground? The number of National Guard troops in Memphis has increased to about 245, a spokesperson with the Memphis Police Department confirmed on Dec. 4.
What have courts said? Several elected officials have sued Lee over the deployment. On Nov. 17, a Tennessee judge temporarily blocked the deployment, aligning with state and local lawmakers who said use of the troops for law enforcement violates the state constitution. Judge Patricia Head Moskal said the city's crime rates were not a "grave emergency" or "disaster" justifying military intervention by the governor. The state of Tennessee on Dec. 2 appealed that decision, and Moskal's injunction blocking the deployment is not in effect while the appeal is pending.
Will this case affect other cities? Memphis is "a whole other barrel of fish" that differs from the Washington, Los Angeles, Portland and Chicago cases because it's a state court case, not a federal one, according to Nunn. "It's not going to have any impact outside of Tennessee, even if you saw the same sort of gambit in a different state," Nunn said.
Contributing: Bart Jansen, Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY;Anastasia Mason, Salem Statesman Journal;Jack Armstrong, Memphis Commercial Appeal; Reuters
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:City-by-city updates on Trump's National Guard deployments
