California National Guard Troops Withdrawn from LA Amid Decreased Tensions

The Trump administration has recalled about half of the California National Guard troops deployed to Los Angeles under federal orders after a series of high-profile immigration raids and anti-deportation protests. About 2,000 troops will be released from duty, with roughly 700 Marines remaining deployed in the city. Governor Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass condemned the deployment, accusing the president of making tensions worse. The troops were initially tasked with protecting federal property, but large-scale protests have generally subsided.

The Trump administration has announced the recall of approximately 2,000 California National Guard troops from Los Angeles, marking a significant reduction in the military presence in the city. The decision comes amidst ongoing legal battles and criticism from state and local leaders over the deployment, which was initially ordered in response to immigration raids and subsequent protests.

The National Guard troops, numbering around 4,000, were deployed to Los Angeles in early June. Their primary mission was to protect federal buildings and assist immigration agents in their operations. However, the deployment faced immediate pushback from California Governor Gavin Newsom, who argued that the troops were being used inappropriately and that their presence was exacerbating tensions. Newsom's lawsuit to block the deployment was initially successful, but an appeals court later allowed the troops to remain under federal control [1].

The Pentagon, citing the subsiding of large-scale protests and the need to address other critical tasks, has decided to release half of the National Guard troops. Sean Parnell, Pentagon spokesperson, stated that the move was a response to the evolving situation on the ground [2]. The remaining 2,000 troops and 700 Marines will continue their deployment, primarily tasked with protecting federal buildings and assisting in immigration operations.

Governor Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have both condemned the deployment, accusing the administration of using the troops as political pawns. Newsom stated that the deployment has pulled troops away from their families and civilian duties, while Bass celebrated the reduction as a result of the people's united efforts [3].

The decision to recall the troops comes as the legal battle over their deployment continues. A federal court is set to hear arguments next month on whether the troops are violating the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits the use of troops for civilian law enforcement on U.S. soil [1].

The recall of the National Guard troops is likely to have significant implications for the ongoing immigration raids and protests. The reduction in military presence may alleviate some of the tensions in the city, but the legal and political battles surrounding the deployment are far from over.

References:
[1] https://wtop.com/national/2025/07/trump-administration-says-it-is-ending-deployment-of-2000-national-guard-troops-in-los-angeles-2/
[2] https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2025-07-15/trump-administration-says-it-is-ending-deployment-of-2-000-national-guard-troops-in-los-angeles
[3] https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-07-15/trump-admin-to-send-home-half-of-the-4-000-national-guard-troops-still-deployed-in-l-a