The Pentagon has announced the significant withdrawal of over a thousand National Guard troops from Los Angeles, marking a pivotal moment in what has been a highly contentious deployment under former President Donald Trump. This move underscores a broader effort to scale back the federal military presence in civilian areas, following widespread public and political backlash.
Initially dispatched to Los Angeles to safeguard federal properties and personnel, the deployment commenced on June 7, described by the White House as a 60-day mission. Its inception was met with immediate and vocal opposition from local officials and residents, who questioned the necessity and legality of such a substantial military presence in their city.
Defense Secretary officials confirmed the recall of 1,350 California National Guardsmen on July 30, with approximately 250 troops slated to remain in Los Angeles. These remaining forces are tasked with ongoing protection of federal assets, a drastic reduction from the peak deployment numbers that once saw nearly 5,000 service members in the city.
At its height, the deployment included a mix of National Guard troops and other federal personnel, ostensibly to guard federal property. However, this robust military presence drew sharp criticism from various quarters, with many local leaders decrying it as an “unlawful occupation” and a politically motivated maneuver that incited rather than quelled unrest.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, a prominent critic, publicly condemned the Trump administration’s actions, characterizing the deployment as a “chaotic, needless takeover of the California National Guard.” He further elaborated that these “political theatrics in LA have blown up in his face,” reflecting the deep ideological divide over the federal intervention.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass echoed these sentiments, labeling the deployment a “political stunt” and expressing satisfaction with the troop withdrawal, which she hailed as a “win.” Mayor Bass affirmed her commitment to continue pressurizing the federal administration until all remaining National Guard forces are removed from Los Angeles.
Conversely, the deployment found supporters, including Fox News personality Pete Hegseth, who thanked the troops for their perceived success. Hegseth contended that the mission was successful in “saving your city from mobs & chaos” and vowed continued support for law enforcement, even in the face of local opposition.
The recall of these troops highlights the complex interplay between federal authority and local governance, particularly concerning the use of military forces in domestic civil matters. This incident leaves a lasting impression on the discourse surrounding federal deployments and raises ongoing questions about the appropriate boundaries of such interventions.
