Overview

• Approximately 150 Guard members were released from the Los Angeles protection mission to join California’s firefighting forces, trimming the federalized contingent to around 3,850 troops.
• Joint Task Force Rattlesnake’s staffing had dipped to 40% capacity after eight of its 14 wildfire crews were assigned to protest duty, prompting military commanders to seek troop reassignments.
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed off on the request from General Gregory Guillot, head of U.S. Northern Command, to transfer the troops back under state wildfire operations.
• Governor Gavin Newsom is pursuing a federal lawsuit to reverse the Title 10 activation that moved roughly 4,000 National Guard soldiers into Los Angeles.
• The unprecedented deployment to secure federal buildings and ICE operations in Los Angeles has intensified debates over state sovereignty and limits on domestic military roles.