“We are removing the National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, despite the fact that CRIME has been greatly reduced by having these great Patriots in those cities, and ONLY by that fact. Portland, Los Angeles, and Chicago were GONE if it werent for the Federal Government stepping in. We will come back, perhaps in a much different and stronger form, when crime begins to soar again – Only a question of time! It is hard to believe that these Democrat Mayors and Governors, all of whom are greatly incompetent, would want us to leave, especially considering the great progress that has been made??? President DJT” @realDonaldTrump

Fact-Check Summary

The social media post wrongly credits the deployment of National Guard troops with delivering major crime reductions in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland. While it is true the Guard is being withdrawn due to court orders, robust crime data show that violent crime was already declining both before and after deployments. There is no clear evidence that troops were the primary or sole reason for reductions. The assertion that these cities would have “collapsed” without federal military intervention is an extreme exaggeration, unsupported by either facts or law enforcement data. Court decisions and independent research consistently refute the dramatic portrayal offered in the post.

Belief Alignment Analysis

The post undermines democratic norms of public accountability and truthfulness by relying on inflammatory, hyperbolic rhetoric and attributing civic progress solely to federal intervention, while denigrating local democratic leadership. Such divisive framing does not foster constructive, inclusive civic dialogue and instead spreads public mistrust through unsupported claims and derogatory language about elected officials.

Opinion

Responsible engagement with public safety requires evidence-based assessments of policy and respect for public institutions. This post distorts the record, undermines confidence in local government, and exaggerates for partisan gain, reducing the quality of civic discourse and public trust in democratic processes.

TLDR

Troops are being withdrawn following court orders, and crime reductions in major cities cannot be credibly attributed to National Guard deployments. The claim that cities would have “collapsed” is false and misleading.

Claim: National Guard troops reduced crime and saved Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, which would have “been gone” without them; troops are being pulled out against the wishes of local leaders, who are called incompetent.

Fact: Troop withdrawals are happening because of court orders, not policy choice. Violent crime was declining before, during, and after deployments. There is no strong evidence that the National Guard caused these reductions. The claim that cities would have collapsed is completely unsubstantiated.

Opinion: The post exaggerates, misattributes causes, and denigrates local leaders for political effect, misinforming the public.

TruthScore: 2

True: Troops are being withdrawn from these cities due to court orders.

Hyperbole: Claims that cities “would have been gone” without the Guard, that only the Guard made things better, and that all Democratic leaders are incompetent are unsupported, exaggerated, and divisive.

Lies: No factual basis that the cities would have collapsed without the National Guard or that federal troops were solely responsible for major crime declines.