The U.S. military presence in Los Angeles is set to shrink significantly. The Pentagon has confirmed that 2,000 California National Guard members will be withdrawn from their mission to protect federal buildings and personnel. This decision comes in response to a decrease in unrest following protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in the city.

Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell stated, "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 Infantry Brigade Combat Team) from the federal protection mission."

Initially, nearly 4,700 military personnel were deployed to Los Angeles for this mission. This included 700 active-duty Marines and approximately 4,000 members from the California National Guard. The deployment of the National Guard began on June 7, when Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated on social media that he was ready to send active-duty Marines if violence persisted.

Just two days later, U.S. Northern Command announced the deployment of 700 Marines from Twentynine Palms, California, to assist in the mission. Subsequently, an additional 2,000 National Guard members were mobilized to bolster security efforts in the area.

While some National Guard members received specialized training to provide perimeter security during ICE operations, they were not tasked with law enforcement duties. However, they were authorized to temporarily detain individuals if necessary, before transferring them to law enforcement authorities.

The reduction of troops reflects a shift in the security landscape in Los Angeles, as the situation stabilizes following heightened tensions and protests.