Pentagon Halves National Guard in Los Angeles

The Pentagon ordered the withdrawal of 2,000 National Guard troops from Los Angeles, halving the federal military presence deployed by President Trump in early June in response to protests over immigration raids. The original deployment included about 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines, drawing strong opposition from Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass, who argued it was politically motivated and strained resources needed for wildfire response. Legal challenges arose over the federalization of the Guard, with courts ruling in favor of the Trump administration's authority to deploy troops without state approval. Federal officials claim the military presence calmed unrest, while state and local leaders assert that protests were mostly peaceful and the reduction was due to public and legal pressure. Despite the drawdown, around 2,000 National Guard troops and several hundred Marines remain stationed in Los Angeles. The situation has sharpened debate about the federal government's authority to deploy military force in domestic affairs.