A military commander has suggested reallocating some California National Guard troops away from their current deployment in Los Angeles to assist in firefighting efforts amidst an anticipated wildfire season.
General Gregory Guillot, who leads U.S. Northern Command, has formally requested Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to transition 200 out of approximately 4,000 California National Guard members back to wildfire duty.
This proposal comes at a time when California is bracing for an ‘early and active season’ for wildfires, with significant activity expected in July and August, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire.
The troops are currently deployed under President Donald Trump’s orders to manage protests in the Los Angeles area, which have arisen in response to actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The participation of the National Guard in managing these protests has stirred controversy, particularly due to the legal challenges brought by California Governor Gavin Newsom, who claims the deployment is both unnecessary and illegal.
President Trump initiated the deployment of around 4,000 National Guard members — alongside approximately 700 Marines — to safeguard federal buildings and support immigration agents amid chaotic protests. Governor Newsom, however, criticized the move as a violation of state authority, claiming that it could hinder the state’s capacity to respond to wildfires.
Newsom’s office indicated that the deployment had reduced the Guard’s firefighting capacity to merely 40%. In a lawsuit against the Trump administration, the state emphasized the critical role that these troops play during California’s peak wildfire season.
Initially, a federal district court judge sided with the state regarding the deployment’s legality. However, a panel of appellate judges later issued a stay on that ruling, which has allowed President Trump to maintain control over the deployed forces.
The current legal framework under which the National Guard was called up is known as Title 10, which gives the president the authority to deploy National Guard forces in situations deemed as a ‘rebellion’ or when he is unable to enforce federal law using regular military forces. The Trump administration asserted that the deployment was warranted due to perceived threats against immigration agents in the Los Angeles region.
Following the state’s objections, a legal battle has ensued, with Newsom asserting that under the laws cited by the federal government, the president cannot mobilize the Guard without the governor’s consent.
As discussions continue regarding the possible redirection of some National Guard personnel back to assist with wildfire management, the state’s firefighting teams express growing concern about their preparedness for the possible intensity of wildfires this summer.
The anticipated move underscores the tension between state authority and federal control, highlighting the ongoing debate over the appropriate use of National Guard resources in both public safety and civil unrest contexts.
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