California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom says President Donald Trump has “caved” in the legal wrangling over deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles during last month’s protests of raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Newsweek reached out to the White House via email Tuesday for comment.
Why It Matters
Trump has prioritized immigration control as a key pillar during his second administration. The president campaigned in 2024 on the promise of mass deportations and appointed Tom Homan as his administration’s border czar to execute his agenda.
Protests in June broke out in Los Angeles after several ICE raids throughout the city. The president sent National Guard troops and Marines to the City of Angels, deeming they were necessary to help control the unrest, against Newsom’s wishes.
The political standoff over the Guard deployments also highlighted national tensions between federal immigration enforcement and state emergency management priorities during California’s peak fire season.
Newsom and state officials have repeatedly insisted that the deployment leaves wildfire response teams critically shorthanded, with California National Guard fire crews reportedly operating at just 40 percent capacity.
What To Know
In a post to X, formerly Twitter, the U.S. Northern Command announced the move on Tuesday to release approximately 150 firefighters from the “Federal Protection” pursuit in Los Angeles.
“At the recommendation of Gen. Gregory M. Guillot, Commander, U.S. Northern Command, and approved by the Secretary of Defense, Task Force 51 will release approximately 150 members of the California National Guard from the Federal Protection mission today,” a press release from U.S. Northern Command read.
The release continued: “USNORTHCOM and Task Force 51 are still appropriately sourced to conduct our Federal Protection Mission. For more information on the disposition of the released soldiers, please contact the California National Guard. Task Force 51 is U.S. Army North’s Contingency Command Post under the command of Maj. Gen. Scott M. Sherman. The mission of TF 51 is protecting federal personnel conducting federal functions, as well as federal property.”
Reacting to the post, Newsom took a swipe at Trump, saying, “.@realDonaldTrump caved. Our firefighters are finally returning to fight wildfires. Better late than never. Now — send the rest home. Nearly 5,000 soldiers — including police, paramedics, and first responders — are still sitting idle in L.A. for nothing.”
The announcement from Northern Command comes a day after General Guillot requested 200 National Guard troops be shifted back to the wildfire unit known as Task Force Rattlesnake.
The Associated Press reports that Trump first sent 4,000 California National Guard troops along with 800 active-duty Marines to Los Angeles amid the unfolding riots.
The protests against ICE raids in the city started June 6 and escalated into the following weeks. Protesters took to downtown, mainly outside the federal courthouse, where police declared an unlawful assembly.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass then implemented a curfew for portions of downtown. On June 17, she lifted it for the affected area, while saying in part, “I’m prepared to reinstate it if necessary.”
Newsom’s concern amid peak fire season comes after simultaneous deadly fires in Los Angeles County in January that engulfed thousands of structures, triggered widespread evacuations and leveled neighborhoods.
The Trump administration also filed a lawsuit against Los Angeles on Monday, accusing the city of obstructing immigration law enforcement and allowing the sanctuary city laws in place to create a “lawless environment.”
What People Are Saying
Newsom, in a release forwarded by his office to Newsweek on Tuesday: “These men and women signed up to serve — not to be Trump’s political props. Letting a few of them return to fight fires is a step in the right direction, but thousands of soldiers are still being blocked from their real work as police officers, paramedics, summer school teachers, and public servants. It’s time to send them all home.”
What Happens Next
As Newsom continues to demand the return of all federally controlled Guard members, his office and the White House remain at odds.
The timing and scale of any potential redeployments or court-mandated changes in command of the Guard remain uncertain.
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