LOS ANGELES (BN24) — The Pentagon has ordered the withdrawal of 1,350 National Guard troops from Los Angeles, scaling back a controversial deployment initially authorized by the Trump administration to confront widespread protests over federal immigration enforcement operations. The move leaves only 250 troops to continue guarding federal assets, according to a statement from Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell.
The decision, confirmed this week by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, marks a significant rollback of the military presence that had drawn intense criticism from California officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. The remaining troops will remain stationed to protect federal personnel and property.
Two months earlier, the Trump administration dispatched approximately 5,000 troops—comprising both National Guard members and Marines—to Los Angeles in an effort to suppress protests sparked by ICE raids and broader immigration enforcement actions. The deployment was immediately met with resistance from local officials, civil rights groups, and residents, many of whom viewed the move as federal overreach.
Newsom, who filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of the deployment, argued that maintaining public order should fall within the jurisdiction of local law enforcement. He also noted that the deployment had diverted National Guard resources from critical missions, such as drug enforcement operations and wildfire containment efforts.
The operation has reportedly cost taxpayers an estimated $134 million. It has also been plagued by criticism over lack of clarity in mission objectives and troop morale. The Los Angeles Times reported that many guardsmen found themselves without clear directives, while The Guardian documented widespread dissatisfaction, low morale, and questionable federal actions during the operation, including false claims and dismissed charges against protesters.
In one high-profile incident, a military operation in MacArthur Park led to the brief detention of a 27-year-old man who was later released after it was determined he was en route to a Department of Veterans Affairs appointment. The raid produced minimal results, highlighting what critics described as the federal government’s overreaction.
Despite the backlash, the Trump administration defended the deployment. “We greatly appreciate the support of the more than 5,000 Guardsmen and Marines who mobilized to Los Angeles to defend federal functions against the rampant lawlessness occurring in the city,” Parnell said in a statement.
Newsom welcomed the drawdown but called on the administration to go further. “The President should allow the remaining soldiers to go back to their families, communities, and civilian professions as doctors, law enforcement and teachers,” he said.
As the 1,350 troops prepare to depart Los Angeles, the debate over the militarization of domestic protest response remains far from over, with state and federal officials still divided over the balance of security and civil liberties.
