LOS ANGELES (BN24) — The Pentagon ordered the withdrawal of 700 U.S. Marines from Los Angeles on Monday, ending a month-long deployment that stirred legal battles and political backlash after President Donald Trump sent troops to the city during protests over immigration enforcement.
The Marines were deployed June 9, days after mass demonstrations erupted across downtown Los Angeles in opposition to Trump’s crackdown on immigration. At the time, Trump also activated 4,000 National Guard troops across the city. The move was widely criticized by state and city leaders, who argued that the federal government had overstepped legal boundaries by sending military personnel to police domestic unrest.
During their stay, the Marines were stationed at two federal sites in Los Angeles, including the downtown U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility. At one point, a man attempting to reach a Veterans Affairs appointment was temporarily detained outside a federal complex in West L.A., raising concerns about the military’s engagement with civilians.
While the Marines’ role was largely restricted to protecting federal property, their presence drew sharp rebukes from local leaders. Last week, the Pentagon began drawing down military personnel, ordering half of the National Guard troops to depart. Monday’s full withdrawal of Marines marked the most significant rollback of the federal deployment.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the troops had fulfilled their mission. “Their presence sent a clear message: lawlessness will not be tolerated,” he said.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, speaking alongside veterans’ groups ahead of the Pentagon’s announcement, welcomed the decision and called for the full removal of all military personnel from the city.
“This is another win for Los Angeles but this is also a win for those serving this country in uniform,” Bass said. “Los Angeles stands with our troops, which is why we are glad they are leaving.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who sued the federal government in June over Trump’s use of the National Guard, also praised the Marines’ withdrawal. Newsom argued in court that the president violated federal law by activating the Guard without consulting the state and accused the administration of using military personnel for “political theater.”
Although Newsom originally included the Marines in the lawsuit, legal efforts have centered on regaining control over the California National Guard. A lower court sided with Newsom, but the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily blocked that ruling, allowing the federal activation to continue for now.
Following Monday’s developments, Newsom renewed his call for the remaining National Guard troops to stand down.
“The women and men of the California National Guard deserve more than to continue serving as puppets in Trump and Stephen Miller’s performative political theater,” Newsom said in a statement. “There was never a need for the military to deploy against civilians in Los Angeles.”
While some Guard troops remain in the city, the Pentagon’s withdrawal of Marines signals a shift as federal pressure eases under intensifying legal and political scrutiny.
