The Pentagon is reducing military presence in Southern California by withdrawing 2,000 National Guardsmen from their mission in Los Angeles. These troops were deployed to protect federal buildings amid protests against ICE operations. The Secretary of Defense indicated that lawlessness is decreasing, prompting this decision. Guardsmen were trained for perimeter security, with limited law enforcement authority. The deployment raised legal questions on military enforcement powers, while concerns grew over the impact on wildfire response amid California's peak season.
"Thanks to our troops who stepped up to answer the call, the lawlessness in Los Angeles is subsiding. As such, the Secretary has ordered the release of 2,000 California National Guardsmen (79th IBCT) from the federal protection mission."
"Many of the Guardsmen deployed to L.A. received specific training to provide perimeter security during ICE operations and were not carrying out law enforcement duties."
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