The Pentagon announced on Monday that it had withdrawn 700 US Marines from Los Angeles. This move ended a controversial deployment that had faced strong criticism from both city and state leaders.

Marines Deployed to Control Protests

The Marines were sent to Los Angeles last month following an order from President Donald Trump. He had deployed thousands of National Guard troops and hundreds of Marines to the city after large protests erupted. The protests were sparked by federal immigration raids that targeted undocumented migrants.

State and City Leaders Opposed Deployment

California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass both opposed the deployment. They criticized the decision to send troops onto city streets. Mayor Bass called the military presence "unnecessary."

On Monday, after the Marines were pulled out, Bass described the decision as “another win” for Los Angeles in a post on X.

Pentagon Defends Marine Deployment

However, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell defended the military’s role. He said the Marines sent a “clear message” that lawlessness would not be accepted. Parnell praised their “rapid response and discipline” for helping restore calm during the unrest.

Troop Withdrawal Ordered

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the Marines’ withdrawal just days after approving the reduction of 2,000 National Guard troops in the city. These moves have cut the total federal troop presence in Los Angeles by half.

Trump’s Immigration Crackdown Targeted LA

Los Angeles, known as a sanctuary city due to its large undocumented population, has been a focus of Trump’s immigration policies since his return to office earlier this year. The latest immigration raids led to public anger and protests throughout the city. Despite clear opposition from California officials, Trump ordered federal forces to control the unrest.

This deployment marked the first time since 1965 that a sitting US president sent National Guard troops into a state without the governor’s approval.