The Pentagon has confirmed the withdrawal of all 700 active-duty US Marines from Los Angeles, more than a month after they were deployed by President Donald Trump against the wishes of local leaders. The decision follows the removal of 2,000 National Guard troops from the city last week.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the deployment had achieved its aim of restoring order after violence erupted during protests against immigration enforcement sweeps. '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,' Parnell stated.
State and city officials had criticised the deployment as unnecessary and provocative. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called it 'inappropriate' and a 'misuse of our troops', while Governor Gavin Newsom's office described it as 'completely unwarranted, uncalled for and unprecedented'. California Attorney General Rob Bonta had threatened legal action over the federalisation of the National Guard.
The Marines had been stationed at two federal buildings in Los Angeles, including an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office and detention centre. The operations have caused disruption in the region's large immigrant community, with one local mayor describing ICE activities as a 'campaign of domestic terror'.
