LOC09:18
06:18 GMT
WASHINGTON, July 16 (KUNA) -- The US administration has begun withdrawing half of the National Guard troops deployed last June to Los Angeles, California, following widespread protests over immigration policies.
According to a report by NBC News on Tuesday evening, a Pentagon spokesperson confirmed that 2,000 out of the 4,000 National Guard members deployed under President Donald Trump's directive are now being pulled back.
The deployment was initially ordered in response to mass demonstrations that erupted in Los Angeles in June, prompting additional federal security measures, including the dispatch of approximately 700 US Marines alongside the National Guard.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass welcomed the decision, crediting what she described as the resilience and unity of the city's residents, she said in a post on the platform X that the strength and solidarity shown by Angelenos played a key role in this development.
California Governor Gavin Newsom also commented on the matter, expressing concern over the prolonged deployment and criticized what he characterized as the politicization of federal resources.
He stated that the National Guard have important responsibilities across the state, and that it's time to bring the remaining personnel home.
The initial decision to deploy thousands of federal troops sparked widespread criticism, particularly from Democratic leaders and immigrant advocacy groups, who viewed the move as an excessive response to civic demonstrations. (end)
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