The Pentagon said Tuesday that U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had ordered the evacuation of half of the 4,000 National Guard units sent to Los Angeles to protect federal property and personnel during the protests last month.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the decision was due to the success of the mission.
“Thanks to the troops that have stepped up the phone, Los Angeles’ violations have accelerated,” Parnell said in a statement.
U.S. President Donald Trump deployed troops to Los Angeles in June against the will of Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, in order to quell immigration protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers (ICE) agents on the workplace.
He also sent about 700 Marines.
Despite legal challenges, the U.S. Court of Appeals has allowed Trump to retain control of the California National Guard.
Controversial deployment
But his decision to send troops into Los Angeles sparked a national debate on the use of military forces on U.S. soil in the second largest city in the United States. The Pentagon has defended the deployment, saying maintenance ice sheet agents ensure they can get the job done.
Even after evacuating these military personnel from Los Angeles, 2,000 National Guards will remain in the city with about 700 Marines.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass complained that military power was unnecessary and caused damage to the local economy, saying the mass opposition helped with the withdrawal.
Protesters frequently appear in immigration raids in the Los Angeles area, showing that they oppose the government’s force.
“It’s because the people of Los Angeles stand up and stand firm. We organized peaceful protests, we united at the rally, and we brought the Trump administration to court – all of which led to the retreat today.”
She mentioned the lawsuit the city joined, which led to an order from a federal judge that prohibits immigration officials from detaining people based solely on race or speaking Spanish.
Los Angeles forces are authorized to detain people who pose a threat to federal personnel or property, but they cannot be arrested until police officers. Military officials are not allowed to arrest themselves.
Trump vowed to illegally deport millions of people and carried out raids at work sites, including farms that were mostly exempted from law enforcement during his first term. The government faces dozens of lawsuits nationwide, challenging its tactics.
