The Pentagon has announced the withdrawal of roughly 2,000 California National Guard troops from Los Angeles, cutting in half the force deployed last month to protect federal buildings during protests against ICE immigration operations. Defense officials said the drawdown reflects a decline in violent unrest that followed mass demonstrations and clashes over federal enforcement actions.
Originally, about 4,000 Guardsmen, along with 700 Marines, were stationed throughout the city to secure federal facilities and assist law enforcement. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the remaining 2,000 National Guard members would continue to provide support in limited capacities until local conditions stabilize further. The reassignment order, approved by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, moves the withdrawn troops back to their home installations for training and other missions.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, who filed a lawsuit challenging the deployment, criticized the operation as a misuse of federal power and demanded that the remaining troops also return home. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass welcomed the partial withdrawal, praising community activists for keeping protests peaceful and applying legal pressure to reduce the federal presence.
