The Pentagon has announced the withdrawal of 2,000 National Guard troops from Los Angeles, reducing the federal military presence in the city to 2,000 Guardsmen and 700 Marines. These troops were initially deployed by President Donald Trump in June to protect federal assets during widespread protests related to federal immigration raids.
The deployment faced strong opposition from California officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who criticized the federal government’s actions. Governor Newsom condemned the deployment as unlawful, asserting that it violated state sovereignty and the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts the use of military forces in domestic law enforcement.
In response to the protests, the Trump administration intensified its immigration enforcement, including expanding detention without bond hearings and firing 17 immigration judges. Internationally, President Trump proposed 100% tariffs on nations buying Russian goods to pressure Vladimir Putin on Ukraine and planned lower initial tariffs on drugs and goods from over 100 smaller nations.
The withdrawal of the National Guard troops follows a series of legal challenges and public outcry over the federalization of the California National Guard. Governor Newsom filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, seeking to block the deployment, arguing that it violated the Tenth Amendment and the Posse Comitatus Act.
Despite the partial withdrawal, tensions between federal and state authorities remain high, with ongoing debates over the appropriate use of military forces in domestic law enforcement and the balance of power between federal and state governments.
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