Pentagon pulls 2,000 National Guard members from Los Angeles in immigration rollback
The Trump administration is cutting back on the number of National Guard troops it sent to California in response to protests over immigration raids. About half of the 4,000 troops originally deployed are being pulled back, marking a significant shift in the federal government’s militarized handling of the situation.
This move comes after weeks of protests in southern California, especially around Los Angeles, following an increase in immigration arrests. Federal agents had targeted places like farms, restaurants, and hardware stores, sparking outrage and demonstrations. On June 7, Trump sent in thousands of National Guard troops and 700 Marines to manage the unrest and protect federal buildings.
According to Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell, the protests in Los Angeles have calmed down, so 2,000 troops from the California National Guard are being released from duty.
Many California Democratic leaders strongly opposed the deployment, calling it an abuse of presidential power and accusing Trump of using the military to intimidate the public. Trump, however, defended the decision, claiming that the military presence prevented the city from falling into chaos.
Governor Gavin Newsom even took legal action against the Trump administration, but a court decided in June that Trump could continue to control the National Guard troops in the state.
Meanwhile, the troops faced hostility on the ground. Guardsmen were seen being taunted by protesters as they guarded federal buildings in downtown Los Angeles.
