Defense Secretary Hegseth Orders Major National Guard Drawdown in Los Angeles

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has ordered the removal of 2,000 National Guard troops from Los Angeles, a move announced by a Pentagon official on Tuesday. The troops were initially deployed last month following widespread protests sparked by immigration raids in the city.

Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell issued a statement, acknowledging the troops’ efforts and noting that “the lawlessness in Los Angeles is subsiding.” The initial deployment saw 4,000 National Guard personnel dispatched to the city, where they helped manage sometimes-violent demonstrations that were eventually quelled through arrests and the use of ‘less lethal’ weapons.

The Trump administration’s decision to federalize National Guard troops without the California governor’s consent, a precedent not seen since 1965, drew significant backlash. California Governor Gavin Newsom vehemently criticized the deployment, labeling it an “assault” on democracy. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also expressed strong opposition, calling the federal presence an “unnecessary overreach.”

In a statement released Tuesday, Mayor Bass credited the unity and resilience of Los Angeles residents—through peaceful protests, rallies, and legal challenges—for the troops’ removal. The state had sued over the mobilization, with Attorney General Rob Bonta arguing it was unlawful and infringed upon the governor’s role as commander-in-chief. However, an appeals panel ruled last month that President Donald Trump had “exercised his statutory authority” when activating the troops.

While 2,000 troops are being withdrawn, half of the original National Guard contingent will remain in the area, alongside approximately 700 Marines previously deployed by Secretary Hegseth. These remaining forces are authorized to detain individuals who pose a threat to federal personnel or property, but only until local police can make arrests, as military officials are prohibited from carrying out arrests themselves.

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