Pentagon downsizes LA troop deployment

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the withdrawal of 2,000 National Guard troops from Los Angeles, roughly halving the contentious deployment in the city, the Pentagon said on Tuesday.

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President Donald Trump ordered thousands of National Guard and hundreds of Marines into Los Angeles last month in response to protests over federal immigration sweeps — a move opposed by city leaders and California's Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom.

“Thousands of members are still federalised in Los Angeles for no reason and unable to carry out their critical duties across the state,” Mr Newsom wrote on X, referring to the Guard's support of firefighting missions across the state.

“End this theatre and send everyone home,” Mr Newsom said.