Deployment of California National Guard in Los Angeles Comes to an End
Federal officials at the Pentagon have confirmed that half of the 4,000 federalized members of the California National Guard who were deployed in Los Angeles are being released. This means that 2,000 guardsmen, along with 700 active-duty Marines, will remain in the city for now. The decision to federalize the troops was made following widespread demonstrations in downtown Los Angeles in early June, which were sparked by protests against a federal immigration crackdown in L.A. County.
Once they arrived, the troops were assigned specific duties, including guarding federal buildings and providing protection for federal immigration agents during enforcement operations. However, the deployment quickly became a point of contention between state and federal authorities.
The state of California took legal action against the Trump administration, arguing that the president had acted illegally by federalizing the National Guard without a request from Governor Gavin Newsom. A federal judge initially ruled in favor of the state, stating that the president had overstepped his authority. However, this decision was later overturned by an appeals court, which allowed the Trump administration to retain control of the troops while the case continues to be reviewed.
Governor Newsom has remained vocal in his criticism of both the court’s ruling and President Trump. He has pointed out that the guardsmen have been separated from their families and other essential duties, effectively making them “pawns” for the president in Los Angeles. In a statement posted on social media, the governor’s office said:
“While nearly 2,000 of them are starting to demobilize, the remaining guardsmembers continue without a mission, without direction and without any hopes of returning to help their communities,” the governor’s office wrote. “We call on Trump and the Department of Defense to end this theater and send everyone home now.”
Reasons Behind the Reduction in Troop Numbers
It is still unclear why federal officials decided to abruptly end the 60-day deployment of 2,000 guardsmen. However, Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell provided some insight, stating:
“Thanks to our troops who stepped up to answer the call, the lawlessness in Los Angeles is subsiding.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also released a statement expressing her approval of the troop reduction. She credited the people of Los Angeles for the decision, highlighting the city’s efforts to organize peaceful protests, hold rallies, and take legal action against the Trump administration.
“This happened because the people of Los Angeles stood united and stood strong,” Bass said. “We organized peaceful protests, we came together at rallies, we took the Trump administration to court — all of this led to today’s retreat.”
Ongoing Uncertainty About Remaining Troops
Despite the reduction in numbers, there is still no clear information about how long the remaining guardsmen and Marines will stay in the region. The situation remains fluid, and it is uncertain whether additional changes will occur in the coming weeks.
The deployment of federal troops in Los Angeles has drawn significant attention and debate, with many questioning the necessity and impact of such a move. As the legal battle continues, the focus remains on what happens next and how the city will respond to the presence of federal forces.
