LA Mayor Celebrates Troop Withdrawal: ‘We Stood United!’

LOS ANGELES — The Pentagon announced Tuesday it is ending the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops in Los Angeles, nearly half of the force sent to the city to handle protests against the Trump administration’s immigration policies.

Since early June, approximately 4,000 National Guard soldiers and 700 Marines have been stationed in the city. The reason for the abrupt end to the 60-day deployment remains unclear, as does the duration of the remaining troops’ stay in the area.

In late June, the top military commander overseeing troops in LA requested Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to reassign 200 personnel to wildfire duty. This came amid warnings from California Gov. Gavin Newsom that the Guard was understaffed as the state entered peak wildfire season.

The deployment’s end follows a controversial operation at MacArthur Park last week, where federal authorities and National Guard troops arrived armed and mounted, ending abruptly. While the Department of Homeland Security provided no explanation, local officials suggested it was meant to intimidate.

\”Thanks to our troops who answered the call, order is being restored in Los Angeles,\” stated Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell, announcing the decision.

On June 8, thousands of protesters took to the streets in response to Trump’s Guard deployment, blocking a major freeway. Law enforcement used tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash-bangs to control the crowd. Several Waymo robotaxis were reportedly set ablaze during the unrest.

The following day, police used flash-bangs and fired projectiles as they pushed protesters through Little Tokyo, causing bystanders and restaurant staff to flee.

Mayor Karen Bass implemented a week-long curfew, which she claims successfully protected businesses and restored order. Recent demonstrations have mostly been small, spontaneous protests in response to arrests.

Bass welcomed the troops’ departure, stating,

\”This happened because Angelenos stood united and strong. We organized peaceful protests, rallied together, and challenged the Trump administration in court — all leading to today’s withdrawal. We will continue to make our voices heard until this ends, not just in LA, but across our nation.\”

In a press conference, Bass noted that the National Guard’s primary mission was guarding two buildings that \”frankly didn’t need protection.\” She added, \”I hope this experiment with people’s lives ends here.\”

By Tuesday afternoon, there was no visible military presence outside the downtown federal complex, which had been the epicenter of early protests. National Guard troops initially stood watch there before Marines were assigned to protect federal buildings. Hundreds of soldiers had been accompanying agents on immigration operations.

President Donald Trump ordered the deployment against Governor Newsom’s wishes, prompting a lawsuit to block it.

Newsom argued that Trump violated the law by deploying California National Guard troops against his opposition. He also contended that the troops likely violated the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits military personnel from conducting civilian law enforcement on U.S. soil.

Newsom initially won the case when a federal judge ruled the Guard deployment illegal and beyond Trump’s authority. However, an appeals court overturned that decision, leaving troop control with the federal government. The federal court is set to hear arguments next month on whether the troops are violating the Posse Comitatus Act.

The National Guard deployment was initially set for 60 days, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth having the authority to adjust the timeline \”to flexibly respond to the evolving situation on the ground,\” according to a June 23 legal filing by the Trump administration.

Following Tuesday’s Pentagon announcement, Newsom stated that the National Guard’s deployment to Los Angeles County had pulled troops away from their families and civilian work \”to serve as political pawns for the President.\”

He added, \”The remaining troops continue without a mission, direction, or hope of returning to help their communities. We call on Trump and the Department of Defense to end this charade and send everyone home now.\”