The Pentagon announced on Wednesday the withdrawal of over a thousand National Guard troops from Los Angeles, following nearly two months of heightened military presence in the city to address public unrest surrounding immigration raids.
The decision to pull back approximately 1,350 members, directed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, marks a significant reduction from the more than 5,000 National Guard members and Marines deployed in June to maintain order amid protests.
Despite the withdrawal, around 250 California National Guard members will remain in Los Angeles to protect federal agents and buildings, according to Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell.
In a statement, Parnell expressed gratitude for the support demonstrated by the troops, stating, “We greatly appreciate the support of the more than 5,000 Guardsmen and Marines who mobilized to Los Angeles to defend Federal functions against the rampant lawlessness occurring in the city.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass celebrated the troop withdrawal, describing it as “another win for Los Angeles” in a post on X, expressing her commitment to continue advocating for the complete removal of federal forces from the city.
The presence of federal troops had sparked significant controversy in Los Angeles, particularly regarding their role in protecting federal agents conducting immigration raids. While President Trump defended the troop deployment as necessary for maintaining order, local Democratic leaders argued that the local law enforcement agencies were fully capable of managing the situation.
Critics contended that the military presence, characterized by heavily armed personnel, escalated tensions and inflamed community outrage. Furthermore, many leaders claimed that the deployment was unlawful and exceeded federal authority.
Following the initial arrival of National Guard troops on June 8, California Governor Gavin Newsom filed a lawsuit against federal officials. He argued that the deployment represented an “unprecedented usurpation” of state power, violating the 10th Amendment, and detracted from the California National Guard’s essential responsibilities, including wildfire management and drug enforcement.
In response to the troop drawdown, Newsom’s office released a statement asserting that President Trump had realized the deployment was both politically disadvantageous and unnecessary.
The statement accused the President of utilizing the military as propaganda tools, emphasizing that the societal and economic ramifications of this militarization were severe.
Over time, as protests in Los Angeles dwindled, the role of the troops appeared increasingly unclear. Sources from within Newsom’s office disclosed that, by July, only about 3% of the National Guard personnel were engaged in active missions.
A Marine stationed outside the Wilshire Federal Building in Westwood commented on the situation, stating to The Times, “There’s not much to do.”
Many of the National Guard members ended up spending significant time stationed at the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos, with the Pentagon estimating the operational costs of the deployment at around $134 million.
As the situation in Los Angeles evolves, the future role of federal troops in the city remains uncertain, alongside the community’s ongoing response to immigration policies and enforcement.
image source from：latimes
