Introduction to the Deployment
The Trump administration deployed U.S. Marines and California National Guard troops to Los Angeles to combat "violent, insurrectionist mobs," but many troops found themselves fighting boredom instead. A Marine standing guard outside the Wilshire Federal Building in Westwood said, "There’s not much to do," as he approved access for federal workers and visitors to the Veterans Affairs office.
The Role of Troops in Los Angeles
The initial protests that met federal immigration raids in downtown Los Angeles were nowhere to be seen along Wilshire Boulevard or Veteran Avenue. As a result, many troops passed the time chatting and joking over energy drinks. More than five weeks after Trump mobilized the military force, few National Guard troops and Marines remained in public view, with most retreating to local military bases in Orange County.
Demands for Removal
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ordered the release of 2,000 National Guard troops, and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and others are demanding the complete removal of the remaining troops. Newsom accused Trump of using California National Guard troops as "political pawns" and said, "End this theater and send everyone home." Bass stated that the troops’ primary mission in L.A. was to guard federal buildings that "frankly didn’t need to be guarded."
Life in the Military Bases
The majority of National Guard troops have been stationed at the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos. A massive tent city has risen at the Orange County base, providing living quarters, cafeteria space, and other facilities. National Guard troops could be seen exercising, milling about, and playing a game of touch football. A separate group of Marines and National Guard troops have remained at the Westwood federal building for an entire month, with sleeping and eating arrangements available.
Tension and Protests
Some California National Guard troops embarked on tense missions with federal immigration agents on sweeps at farms, warehouses, and public streets. On July 7, Guard troops accompanied federal agents as they descended on MacArthur Park in a heavily militarized show of force. Crowds quickly formed around the federal agents and military troops, screaming for them to "get the f— out!" A few days later, Guard troops faced off with hundreds of protesters in Ventura County as immigration agents arrested suspected undocumented immigrants.
Underutilization of Troops
An estimated 90% of the National Guard troops stationed in the L.A. area have not been deployed on daily missions, according to a source within Newsom’s office. The source said that about 3% of the 4,000 troops were taking part in daily missions, mostly consisting of security at federal buildings. An additional couple hundred were standing by for "quick response force" missions, but even if all those troops were used each day, the source said that still left about 88% of the 4,000 troops underutilized.
Criticism and Concerns
Jennifer Kavanagh, director of military analysis at Defense Priorities, said there is little evidence that the military presence is necessary. "The need for military forces in Los Angeles is low while the need for National Guard forces elsewhere in the state is rising," Kavanagh said. Kori Schake, senior fellow and director of foreign and defense policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, agreed, stating that the troops have a real job to be training for – fighting and winning the nation’s wars – which this performative policing is a distraction from.
Historical Context
The Guard has been deployed to Los Angeles before, but never against the will of the L.A. mayor and California governor. In 1992, President George H.W. Bush mobilized the National Guard to L.A. after multiple days of riots following a jury’s acquittal of four white police officers in the beating of Black motorist Rodney King. Nearly 30 years later, Guard troops were called in again during the 2020 protests following the murder of George Floyd.
Legal Showdown
A day after National Guard troops hit the ground in L.A., Newsom and Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to end the "illegal and unnecessary takeover" of a California National Guard unit. A U.S. district judge in San Francisco sided with the state, ruling that Trump broke the law when he deployed thousands of California National Guard troops to L.A. against the state’s will.
Morale and Concerns
Advocates for service members warned of low morale when troops were first deployed to L.A. The GI Rights Hotline received a flurry of calls voicing concern about immigration enforcement. Some military personnel told the hotline that they did not want to support ICE or play any role in deporting people because they considered immigrants part of the community or had immigrants in their family.
Conclusion
The deployment of National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles has been a controversial and complex issue. While the initial intention was to combat "violent, insurrectionist mobs," many troops found themselves fighting boredom instead. With demands for removal and criticism from various parties, the situation remains uncertain. As the city and the country move forward, it is essential to consider the role of the military in immigration enforcement and the impact on the troops themselves.
FAQs
Q: Why were National Guard troops and Marines deployed to Los Angeles?
A: The Trump administration deployed troops to combat "violent, insurrectionist mobs" in and around Los Angeles.
Q: What were the troops’ primary duties in L.A.?
A: The troops’ primary duties consisted of approving access for federal workers and visitors to the Veterans Affairs office and guarding federal buildings.
Q: How many troops were deployed to L.A.?
A: Initially, 2,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines were deployed, with an additional 2,000 Guard troops added later.
Q: What is the current status of the deployment?
A: The deployment is being scaled back, with 2,000 National Guard troops released, and demands for the complete removal of the remaining troops.
Q: What are the concerns regarding the deployment?
A: Concerns include the underutilization of troops, the impact on morale, and the potential for escalation in confrontations between troops and protesters.
