Trump Ends National Guard Mission in Los Angeles

The Trump administration has announced the conclusion of a controversial National Guard deployment in Los Angeles, ending the active mission of 2,000 troops stationed in the city to manage unrest tied to immigration protests.

Originally deployed alongside 700 Marines in response to nationwide demonstrations against federal immigration raids, the 4,000-strong National Guard presence marked one of the largest domestic troop deployments in recent US history.

It also positioned President Donald Trump as the first in decades to federalize National Guard forces without the consent of the state’s governor.

California Governor Gavin Newsom, who had opposed the deployment from the outset, filed a lawsuit challenging the federal order.

He argued that the deployment undermined state authority and diverted resources from critical needs, such as California’s wildfire response. His administration warned that continued use of the Guard in non-emergency roles risked politicizing the military.

Following the Pentagon’s decision to withdraw half the deployed force, Newsom condemned the operation as a misuse of state personnel, calling the deployment “political theatre” that left troops “without mission, direction, or purpose.”

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also welcomed the move, crediting civic unity and legal pressure for forcing the administration’s hand. Public opposition included a wave of peaceful protests, legal actions, and community-led demonstrations across the city.

The initial deployment followed a spike in unrest after intensified federal immigration raids throughout Southern California. Critics argued that the show of force escalated tensions and blurred the line between law enforcement and military intervention in domestic affairs.