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Only 250 National Guard members will remain in Los Angeles after the Pentagon announced Thursday it would cancel additional force deployments, as anti-ICE protests in the city have quieted down.
Pentagon chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement to the Associated Press that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered 1,350 National Guard members to leave the city while hundreds of people would stay to protect federal personnel and property.
In June, about 4,000 National Guard soldiers and 700 Marines were sent to Los Angeles to control riots raided against immigrants in the city. Despite objections from state and local leaders, including Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, they filed a lawsuit to end federal deployment.
Half of the National Guard was withdrawn about two weeks ago, and a few days later, the Marines were ordered to leave.
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The Pentagon said it is ending the deployment of more National Guard units that have been sent to Los Angeles to respond to anti-ICE protests. (Getty Image)
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass wrote on Wednesday night that more troops’ departures were “another victory in Los Angeles”, adding: “We will continue this pressure until all troops leave Los Angeles.”
“These troops have families and jobs,” she wrote on Thursday’s separate X post. “They could have dealt with actual dangers or helped the community prepare for the fire threat. Instead, they were forced to guard two office buildings for months.”
Pentagon orders 700 Marines to withdraw from Los Angeles as steady returns after protests on ice
In June, about 4,000 National Guard soldiers and 700 Marines were deployed to Los Angeles despite objections from state and local officials. (Getty Image)
The National Guard mostly protects two federal buildings in the city – the Ice Bureau and the Urban Detention Center. Some people are also blocking federal agents during immigration attacks.
California leaders argued that federal deployment was unnecessary as protests continued to oppose Trump’s administration’s deportation and immigration attacks in the region and escalated tensions in New York City. Although protests are still taking place, most people are still small and dispersed.
Half of the National Guards were pulled back about two weeks ago, and a few days later, the Marines were ordered to leave. (Getty Image)
Newsom said in a statement that President Donald Trump’s “political theater is counterproductive.”
“Our military men and women deserve more than just props used as federal propaganda machines,” Newsom said.
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Newsom argued in June that the Trump administration violated the law when deploying troops after California sued to stop the National Guard’s federal deployment. Newsom also asked the judge to stop the troops from helping with the immigration raid.
The lower court initially ordered Trump to return control of the National Guard to Newsom, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit later temporarily blocked the order.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
