2,000 National Guard Troops Withdrawn from Los Angeles as Protests Subside
The Pentagon has announced the withdrawal of 2,000 National Guard troops from Los Angeles, marking a significant scale-down in the federal deployment launched in response to weeks of protests over President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.
The troops accounted for nearly half of the 4,000 National Guard soldiers deployed to the city since early June, alongside 700 Marines who continue to guard federal buildings. While the full reason for ending the 60-day deployment early wasn’t disclosed, officials said the situation on the ground had calmed significantly.
“This drawdown reflects the improvement in public safety,” said Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell on Tuesday. “Thanks to our troops who stepped up to answer the call, the lawlessness in Los Angeles is subsiding.”
The troop withdrawal comes one week after a controversial joint operation by federal agents and Guard troops at MacArthur Park. The mission, involving horses and firearms, ended abruptly and without explanation. Local officials accused the federal presence of fueling fear and intimidation rather than restoring order.
The deployment has sparked legal and political battles. California Governor Gavin Newsom, a vocal opponent of the federal action, sued the Trump administration for violating the Posse Comitatus Act — a law that prohibits federal military personnel from conducting civilian law enforcement. While a lower court initially ruled in Newsom’s favor, an appeals court overturned the decision, allowing the deployment to continue.
In response to Tuesday’s withdrawal, Newsom criticized the federal operation as political theatre: “The Guard was pulled from their families and communities to serve as pawns. Now many remain in limbo, without clear mission or direction.”
The protests erupted in early June after President Trump ordered troop deployments despite Newsom’s objections. On June 8, demonstrators blocked freeways and clashed with police, who deployed rubber bullets, flash bangs, and tear gas. Violence flared in areas like Little Tokyo, and several Waymo self-driving taxis were torched.
To restore calm, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass enforced a temporary curfew, which she said helped protect businesses. Since then, protests have largely dwindled to scattered demonstrations near immigration enforcement sites.
Despite the drawdown, hundreds of Guard troops remain in Los Angeles, accompanying federal agents on immigration operations. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth retains authority to adjust troop levels “based on evolving conditions,” according to a June 23 court filing.
Arguments in the ongoing legal challenge over the legality of the deployment are scheduled to be heard in federal court next month.
