Pentagon releases 150 California National Guard troops from federal duties
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California National Guard members standing guard outside the Federal Building during a protest in response to federal immigration operations in Los Angeles in June. Photo: Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP via Getty Images
The Trump administration released some 150 California National Guard troops from federal duties over the Los Angeles protests on Tuesday, as the region faces threats from multiple wildfires.
Why it matters: It's the first time the administration has released National Guard members since President Trump deployed thousands of troops and 700 U.S. Marines to LA protests over ICE raids despite objections from California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D).
Driving the news: AP first reported that the commander of U.S. Northern Command, which has been overseeing the deployment of troops to the protests, had requested 200 members return to wildfire response duty.
- USNORTHCOM confirmed in a statement that it was releasing about 150 California National Guard members from the federal protection mission at the recommendation of the commander, Gen. Gregory Guillot, in a move that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved.
- The mission "is protecting federal personnel conducting federal functions, as well as federal property," the statement noted.
- Newsom claimed victory after the announcement in a post to X that called on the administration to release all troops from federal duties in LA:
Situation report: Wildfires erupted in California this week amid dry conditions and interior areas "will continue to be dry and breezy with elevated fire weather through at least Friday," per a forecast discussion from the National Weather Service's LA office.
- More than a dozen wildfires were burning in California over Tuesday night, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
- The biggest was the Wolf Fire in Riverside County, where evacuation orders were in effect as the blaze burned across more than 2,400 acres at 40% containment after igniting on Sunday, per Cal Fire.
- Climate change is making wildfires more likely and more destructive, studies show.
Zoom out: Newsom is suing the Trump administration over the military deployment to LA, while the Justice Department alleged in a lawsuit filed Monday against the city of Los Angeles that its sanctuary policies led to "lawlessness, rioting, looting, and vandalism."
- Unrest in downtown LA during protests prompted Mayor Karen Bass to last month impose a nighttime curfew in the area that she lifted two weeks ago, citing "successful crime prevention and suppression efforts" while blaming the Trump administration for escalating the situation.
- Representatives for the White House did not immediately respond to Axios' Tuesday evening request for comment on Newsom's remarks.
Go deeper: July 4th events across LA area canceled over ICE raid fears
Editor's note: This article has been updated with more details on the fires and further context.
