Pentagon Orders Partial Withdrawal of National Guard from Los Angeles Amid Legal Battles and Political Backlash
by Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Staff
(Worthy News) – The Pentagon announced Tuesday that 2,000 National Guard troops will be withdrawn from Los Angeles, marking a partial end to a controversial federal deployment ordered by President Donald Trump in response to anti-ICE protests and immigration enforcement riots.
Initially deployed in early June under Title 10 status, the 4,000 California National Guard troops and 700 Marines were sent to protect federal personnel and property, particularly Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities, as tensions flared over mass deportation operations. The move bypassed California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s objections and ignited legal and political firestorms.
“Thanks to our troops who stepped up to answer the call, the lawlessness in Los Angeles is subsiding,” said chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell in a statement. “As such, the Secretary [Pete Hegseth] has ordered the release of 2,000 California National Guardsmen from the federal protection mission.”
Despite the drawdown, 2,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines will remain on the ground to continue securing ICE operations and federal infrastructure.
Legal Tensions and Political Fallout
California Governor Gavin Newsom, who sued the Trump administration over the deployment, reiterated his opposition on Tuesday, accusing the federal government of using troops as “political pawns.”
“While nearly 2,000 are starting to demobilize, the remaining guardsmembers continue without a mission, without direction, and without any hopes of returning to help their communities,” Newsom said. “We call on Trump and the Department of Defense to end this theater and send everyone home now.”
The deployment has faced multiple legal challenges. A federal judge initially sided with Newsom, ruling that Trump overstepped his constitutional authority. However, a higher court placed that ruling on hold, asserting the president likely acted within his commander-in-chief powers. A separate court ruling also found ICE engaged in illegal immigration sweeps, allegedly targeting individuals based on race and language without proper cause.
Local Leaders: “This Is a Retreat”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, a vocal critic of the troop presence, celebrated the partial withdrawal as a victory for grassroots opposition.
“This happened because the people of Los Angeles stood united and stood strong,” Bass said. “We organized peaceful protests, we came together at rallies, we took the Trump administration to court — all of this led to today’s retreat.”
Bass questioned the purpose of the remaining deployment, claiming the troops have been assigned to guard buildings “that frankly didn’t need to be guarded.” She added, “I am hoping that this experiment with the lives of people ends here.”
Federal Justification and Continuing Tensions
The Trump administration maintains that the deployment was necessary after local authorities failed to respond quickly to threats against ICE agents and facilities. A June 6 protest escalated into riots, prompting the administration to act unilaterally.
ICE officials said they had requested local assistance but faced delays that jeopardized officer safety. The federalization of the Guard, they argued, restored order and protected federal agents from violent mobs attempting to storm facilities.
Under Title 10, federal troops are allowed to secure federal property and interests but are prohibited from engaging in law enforcement duties under the Posse Comitatus Act unless the Insurrection Act is invoked — which it was not.
The 60-day deployment window remains in effect, with Defense Secretary Hegseth retaining discretion to extend or shorten the mission “in response to the evolving situation on the ground,” according to court filings.
As federal courts prepare to hear further arguments on the legality of the deployment, the streets of Los Angeles remain under partial federal guard — a visible reminder of a deepening divide between state and federal authority.
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