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| Guardsmen load gear after Los Angeles drawdown |
President Trump ordered the removal of most National Guard troops from Los Angeles on July 31, 2025. Only 250 personnel will remain to guard federal property and support any sudden threats.
The drawdown follows an early June move that sent roughly 4,000 Guard soldiers and 700 Marines into the city. That force backed up local police during rallies against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved pulling out 1,350 Guard troops this week. They packed up barracks, folded shields, and loaded gear onto trucks for bases back home.
California Governor Gavin Newsom had sued over the deployment. He claimed federal control of the Guard without his OK broke the state’s rights under the Tenth Amendment.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass cheered the drawdown as a win for residents. She noted local officers safely handled the mostly peaceful protests on their own.
In mid-July, nearly half of the Guard force—about 2,000 soldiers—had already left under an earlier recall order. That move came after weeks of low-key rallies and little violence.
The original June protests saw crowds block the US-101 freeway and target Waymo driverless cars. Videos showed cars vandalized and fires started near MacArthur Park.
Still, LAPD Chief Michel Moore said his officers had enough manpower and gear to manage crowds. He never formally asked for Guard help.
The Pentagon insisted using the Guard was lawful. It cited its power to protect federal sites when local threats arise.
Critics flagged possible Posse Comitatus Act breaches. That law bars federal troops from acting as civilian police, with few exceptions for guarding property.
Lawsuits argued Marines on city streets crossed that line. Federal judges have yet to rule on whether active-duty troops can face off with civilians here.
The cost of the mission topped $100 million, split between Guard pay, transport, and support services. Taxpayers footed the bill in the name of public safety .
Local business owners said they saw no major disruptions once protests calmed. Many stores stayed open without extra security costs .
Still, some civil rights groups warn that a federal troop presence chills free speech. They say people felt uneasy marching under watchful eyes .
As the Guard leaves, the 250 troops left behind will focus on courthouses, ICE offices, and other federal buildings. They stand ready if unrest flares again .
The drawdown marks the end of one of the largest domestic Guard missions in decades. It leaves questions about when Washington should step into local protests.