In a significant shift, the Trump administration has begun reducing the presence of National Guard troops in Los Angeles.
The Pentagon confirmed the withdrawal of 2,000 soldiers, cutting the total force in half following the earlier deployment of 4,000 troops last month in response to immigration policy protests.
The initial deployment also included approximately 700 Marines. This marked the first time a U.S. president in decades had federalized National Guard units against the wishes of California’s governor.
Governor Gavin Newsom objected, filing a lawsuit challenging the legal basis of the deployment.
California was already preparing for wildfire season when the Los Angeles mission began.
The military leadership involved briefly diverted some Guard troops—200 soldiers—to fight wildfires before returning them to the city to respond to protests.
Following the pullback, Governor Newsom criticized the deployment as a political move that removed servicemembers from their homes and civilian roles.
He argued that the troops remaining in L.A. lacked clear objectives and should instead be sent back to assist their local communities.
He urged the administration and Pentagon to conclude the mission and return all soldiers to their normal roles.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass welcomed the decision, crediting strong community engagement. She noted that the successful protests, legal challenges, and public rallies in the city inspired unity and led to this outcome.
She also stated the importance of maintaining civic activism across the nation.
This troop reduction relieves local pressure and reflects ongoing debates over federal intervention in local matters and the role of military forces in civil issues.