Roughly 700 active-duty U.S. Marines deployed last month to help manage protests in Los Angeles are being sent home, the Pentagon announced Monday.
“With calm returning to Los Angeles, the Secretary has ordered the redeployment of the 700 Marines, whose presence made it clear that lawlessness would not be tolerated,” Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said. He praised their “rapid response, discipline, and strong presence” as key to restoring order.
The Marines, from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines of the 1st Marine Division, were activated in June to assist in guarding federal buildings and personnel. They were deployed to support a federal task force in Los Angeles, ensuring continuous security coverage, according to U.S. Northern Command.
The announcement comes just days after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth released 2,000 California National Guard troops from the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. However, about 2,000 additional California National Guard members remain deployed, having been activated later in June.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom renewed his demand Monday for all National Guard troops to be withdrawn.
“The men and women of the California National Guard should not be pawns in Trump and Stephen Miller’s political theater,” Newsom said in a statement. “Deploying the military against civilians in Los Angeles was never justified. The damage is done. It’s time to end this militarization once and for all.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also welcomed the Marines’ withdrawal.
“This is a victory for Los Angeles and for our military members,” Bass said. “Earlier today I stood with veterans, families, and business leaders to highlight the harmful impact of this unnecessary, unprecedented, and unconstitutional show of force.”
The deployment of Marines sparked widespread criticism as an escalation of federal involvement in domestic affairs under President Donald Trump. At the time, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell warned the arrival of Marines without clear coordination would create serious logistical and operational problems for local authorities.
The Marines, like the National Guard members activated under Title 10, were barred from engaging in law enforcement activities due to restrictions under the Insurrection Act.
Back in June, Gov. Newsom had condemned the move as “unwarranted, uncalled for, and unprecedented,” accusing the Trump administration of turning the military against U.S. citizens.
At a recent congressional hearing, a senior Pentagon official said the combined mobilization of Marines and National Guard troops in Los Angeles is estimated to cost $134 million. Bryn MacDonnell, acting Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller), told lawmakers the cost primarily includes temporary duty expenses such as travel, housing, and food.
She added the funding would be drawn from existing operations and maintenance accounts.
During that same hearing, Secretary Hegseth vigorously defended the mobilization, insisting it met all legal criteria under the U.S. Code for federalizing the National Guard.
“The law lists three justifications: foreign invasion, rebellion against U.S. authority, or the inability to enforce federal law with regular forces,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA), questioning which authority applied.
“I don’t know, you just read it — sounds like all three to me,” Hegseth replied.
He further claimed, “The governor and mayor failed to protect their people. President Trump stepped up. Our agents, Guard, and Marines were proud to do their duty.”
