The Pentagon has reportedly announced a withdrawal of the 700 Marines deployed to Los Angeles. President Donald Trump deployed the Marines to the city a little more than one month ago during protests over immigration raids.
Marines in Los Angeles
The president deployed the Marines on June 9 to protect federal buildings during the protests. They could be seen outside the Wilshire Federal Building and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office and detention center in downtown LA.
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“With stability returning to Los Angeles, the Secretary has directed the redeployment of the 700 Marines whose presence sent a clear message: lawlessness will not be tolerated,” Sean Parnell, the Pentagon’s chief spokesperson, told ABC News. “Their rapid response, unwavering discipline, and unmistakable presence were instrumental in restoring order and upholding the rule of law. We’re deeply grateful for their service, and for the strength and professionalism they brought to this mission.”
Democratic Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass had opposed the Marines being sent in since the beginning. She responded today in a video on X.
“I’d like to say that they heard from the people of Los Angeles, this was an unnecessary deployment,” Bass said.
During a news conference Monday morning, July 21, Bass said the Marines are not trained or ready for urban crowd control. She added that the Marines were not authorized to make arrests or trained to perform the work of local law enforcement, nor were they needed to do so.
National Guard troops remain
Also during that news conference, Bass, along with other lawmakers and veterans, called for the remaining California National Guard troops to be withdrawn from the city. The Trump administration released 2,000 of those troops a week ago, but another 2,000 remain.
“It’s such an honor that I stand before you today with incredible men and women who have devoted their lives to fighting on behalf of our country and who all feel appalled at the misuse of our troops right now, the militarization of the National Guard, the inappropriate deployment of the marines to our city streets,” Bass said at the news conference covered by KCAL.
She added that she wants all the troops returned home and for them to stop being used as political stunts. It remains unclear when those troops could be released.
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office issued another call to release the troops on X.
“California could use our @TheCalGuard right now to fight wildfires and stop fentanyl at the border. Instead, Trump has them standing around for a photo op. Return our soldiers. NOW.”
There are currently three fires burning, covering more than 15,000 acres, in the state.
The takeover of the California National Guard by the Trump administration will be the focal point of a court case set for next month.
