Trump Administration Scales Down Military Operation in Los Angeles Amid Mass Immigration Sweeps
The Trump administration has decided to significantly reduce its military operation in Los Angeles, with the release of 2,000 national guard troops who were deployed to the area last month amid protests over the federal government's mass immigration sweeps. The decision comes after widespread outrage and condemnation from city leaders, including Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom. The deployment was initiated against the wishes of local authorities and has inflamed political tension in the country's second-most-populous city.
Key Takeaways:
- The Trump administration has ordered the release of 2,000 national guard troops from the federal protection mission in Los Angeles, significantly reducing the military presence in the city.
- The deployment of 4,000 national guard troops and 700 US marines was initiated in June to quell protests triggered by the administration's large-scale immigration crackdown.
- The operation has drawn widespread criticism from local leaders and residents, with some describing it as a "campaign of domestic terror" and "psychological warfare" against residents.
- Federal immigration authorities have conducted mass arrests of immigrants, including US citizens, in the region, prompting a federal judge to order the Trump administration to stop indiscriminate immigration stops and arrests in seven California counties.
- The withdrawal of 2,000 military personnel from Los Angeles leaves 2,000 national guard troops and roughly 700 marines in the city.
Statistics:
- 4,000: The number of national guard troops deployed to Los Angeles in June to quell protests.
- 700: The number of US marines deployed to Los Angeles to protect federal property and personnel.
- 2,000: The number of national guard troops to be released from the federal protection mission in Los Angeles.
- 7: The number of California counties where federal immigration authorities have been ordered to stop indiscriminate immigration stops and arrests.
Sources:
- The Trump administration said it would scale down its military operation in Los Angeles with the removal of half of the national guard troops that were deployed to the area last month amid protests over the federal government's mass immigration sweeps. (Source: Los Angeles Times)
- "Thanks to our troops who stepped up to answer the call, the lawlessness in Los Angeles is subsiding," Sean Parnell, a Pentagon spokesperson, said in a statement. (Source: Reuters)
- Donald Trump soon called 4,000 national guard troops into federal service and also deployed about 700 US marines in order to protect federal property and personnel, the administration said. (Source: Politico)
- Newsom, who said the president's actions amounted to illegal overreach and were unconstitutional, sued to stop the deployment. (Source: The New York Times)