Trump Administration Orders Release of 2,000 National Guard Troops from Los Angeles

Strategic Insights -

The Trump administration is releasing 2,000 California National Guard troops, half the number deployed last month in response to protests, following immigration raids in the area. The move comes after President Donald Trump ordered 4,000 troops to be deployed last month in the wake of protests breaking out in response to a string of ICE raids across Los Angeles. California Governor Gavin Newsom has called for the remaining 2,000 troops to be sent home, citing concerns that the deployment has been "exploiting" the state's National Guard as "political pawns."

Key Takeaways:

  • 2,000 California National Guard troops are being released from federal protection mission in Los Angeles, following immigration raids in the area.
  • The move comes after President Donald Trump ordered 4,000 troops to be deployed last month in response to protests breaking out in response to ICE raids across Los Angeles.
  • California Governor Gavin Newsom has called for the remaining 2,000 troops to be sent home, citing concerns that the deployment has been "exploiting" the state's National Guard as "political pawns."
  • The state of California had sued the Trump administration over its deployment, claiming it has "caused real and irreparable damage" to both Los Angeles and the state's larger sovereignty.
  • A federal appeals court had sided with the president, saying Trump "exercised his statutory authority" when he activated the troops.
  • The decision to send troops home comes days after Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced federal officers arrested more than 300 people at a marijuana facility in southern California on July 10, with the figure rising to 361 after another raid.
  • At least one worker died after being chased by federal agents during one of the farm raids, according to United Farm Workers.

Statistics:

  • 4,000: The original number of California National Guard troops deployed by President Donald Trump in response to protests in Los Angeles.
  • 2,000: The number of National Guard troops being released from federal protection mission in Los Angeles.
  • 300: The number of people arrested at a marijuana facility in southern California on July 10 by federal officers.
  • 361: The number of people arrested at a marijuana facility in southern California days after the initial raid.
  • 1: The number of worker who died after being chased by federal agents during one of the farm raids.

Sources:

  • [1] Sean Parnell, Pentagon spokesperson, "Thanks to our troops who stepped up to answer the call, the lawlessness in Los Angeles is subsiding..." (Source: Unknown publication date)
  • [2] California Governor Gavin Newsom, "For more than a month, @realDonaldTrump has been exploiting @TheCalGuard as his political pawns. Thousands of members are still federalized in Los Angeles for no reason and unable to carry out their critical duties across the state," (Source: Newsom's social media account)
  • [3] Trump administration's decision to deploy 4,000 National Guard troops in Los Angeles (Source: Unknown publication date)
  • [4] Federal appeals court ruling that sided with President Trump (Source: Unknown publication date)
  • [5] Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's announcement of federal officers arresting over 300 people at a marijuana facility in southern California (Source: Unknown publication date)
  • [6] United Farm Workers' report of a worker dying after being chased by federal agents during one of the farm raids (Source: Unknown publication date)