"Thanks to the military's readiness, lawlessness in Los Angeles is subsiding. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has ordered 2,000 National Guard troops to withdraw from federal protection duties," Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell announced on 15/7.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said the decision came after protests became peaceful and the state government filed a lawsuit. "This is thanks to the people of Los Angeles who have united and persevered. We have organized peaceful protests, participated in rallies, and sued President Donald Trump's administration," Bass, a Democrat, said.

California National Guard troops in front of the Federal Building in Los Angeles on 10/6. Photo: AP

California National Guard troops in front of the Federal Building in Los Angeles on 10/6. Photo: AP

Known as a "sanctuary city" with hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants, Los Angeles has been a target of the Trump administration's crackdown since he returned to the White House in January.

Last month, Trump ordered 4,000 California National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles to respond to protests against the crackdown on undocumented immigrants. The troops were tasked with protecting federal buildings and immigration agents.

This was the first time since 1965 that a US president deployed the National Guard without the consent of the state's governor. California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles city leaders strongly opposed the move. According to Newsom, the deployment was unnecessary because most of the protests were peaceful.

In their lawsuit against the Trump administration in federal court, California officials argued that the president had exceeded his authority. The federal appeals court in California ruled on 19/6 that President Trump had the authority to deploy the California National Guard for 60 days to "protect federal personnel performing official duties and federal property".

It remains unclear how long the remaining troops will stay in Los Angeles, as the crackdown on undocumented immigrants continues nationwide.

The National Guard is the reserve military force of the US Armed Forces. Each US state and territory has a National Guard under the direct command of the governor. In addition, the US president can deploy the National Guard for federal duties during wartime or national emergencies.

Huyen Le (According to AFP, AP)