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Pentagon Orders Withdrawal of 2,000 National Guard Troops from Los Angeles

California officials are pursuing legal action to undo the unprecedented federalization

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Members of the California National Guard stand by as thousands participate in the No Kings demonstration in downtown Los Angeles on June 14, 2025.
A demonstrator raises his hand holding flowers as members of the National Guard stand in formation outside a federal building during the No Kings protest against U.S. President Donald Trump's policies, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 14, 2025.  REUTERS/Daniel Cole/File Photo

Overview

  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed the release of half of the 4,000 National Guard members sent to Los Angeles after federal officials declared unrest was subsiding.
  • About 2,000 guardsmen and roughly 700 Marines will remain on duty to guard federal buildings and support ICE operations in the city.
  • President Trump’s deployment over Governor Newsom’s objections marked the first use of Title 10 authority against a governor since 1965.
  • Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass have filed lawsuits and continue to call for a full pullback of all federalized troops.
  • Critics say the operation has diverted Guardsmen from wildfire response and reignited debate over the military’s role in domestic law enforcement.