"Stability has returned to Los Angeles. Secretary of Defense Peter Hegseth has directed the redeployment of 700 marines. The deployment sent a clear message: We will not tolerate lawlessness", Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell announced on 21/7.

Parnell added that the decision to deploy marines to Los Angeles, California, in June was timely and disciplined. He emphasized that the presence of these forces "played a vital role in restoring order and maintaining law and order" in the city.

The Washington Post, citing sources within the US Department of Defense, revealed that the decision to withdraw the marines from Los Angeles was made last week. The troops have not yet left the city but plan to move back to Twentynine Palms base, about 240 km from Los Angeles, in the next few days.

"I think the military has listened to the people of Los Angeles. Clearly, deploying the military was unnecessary", Mayor Karen Bass said, emphasizing that this was "Los Angeles' first victory" and the city also wants to end immigration raids.

Marines and California National Guard establish a security perimeter around a detention facility in Los Angeles on 4/7. Photo: AFP

Marines and California National Guard establish a security perimeter around a detention facility in Los Angeles on 4/7. Photo: AFP

Raids on undocumented immigrants, led by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of the US Department of Homeland Security, in June sparked protests in Los Angeles. Most of the marches were peaceful, but some clashes between protesters and federal forces in the city center escalated into violence.

President Donald Trump accused protesters in Los Angeles of being "insurgents," "looters," and "criminals." He ordered the deployment of 4,800 California National Guard troops to the city, after which the Pentagon sent an additional 700 marines. These forces primarily protected federal government buildings and supported ICE in immigration raids.

In the past few weeks, the US National Guard has partially withdrawn from Los Angeles, with about 2,000 personnel remaining on duty. California Governor Gavin Newsom continued to call on President Trump to order the withdrawal of all remaining personnel from the city, arguing that the current situation "distracts troops from their usual public safety duties."

According to the Pentagon, the decision to deploy the National Guard is effective for 60 days, but Secretary Hegseth has full authority to shorten or extend this period "to flexibly respond to the constantly changing situation."

Thanh Danh (Fox, Washington Post)