On July 15, 2025, Reuters reported that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the withdrawal of 2,000 National Guard troops from Los Angeles, halving the federal military presence in response to widespread protests triggered by immigration raids Reuters . The troops were initially deployed in June by President Trump—despite opposing views from California Governor Gavin Newsom—and supplemented by 700 active-duty Marines to protect federal assets during protests related to ICE operations Reuters .

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated the mission had succeeded in stabilizing “lawlessness” and justified the release of half the Guardsmen from federal duty Reuters . However, Governor Newsom and local officials contended the deployment was excessive and politically motivated, calling the troops “political pawns” that were better used for wildfire response or other state needs AP News.

Mayor Karen Bass credited local protests and legal actions—especially a lawsuit limiting racial profiling during ICE operations—for prompting the scale-down of the military presence Reuters . The legal context includes appeals court decisions affirming Trump’s authority over federalized Guard forces, despite state objections San Francisco Chronicle.

Meanwhile, reports indicated that fewer than 20% of the deployed troops were actively patrolling the city, with many stationed at remote bases and underutilized SF Chronicle . Critics described this as wasteful and disruptive to vital state functions such as wildfire and drug interdiction San Francisco Chronicle.

30-Day Average Benefit Limit – Contextual Insight

One possible underlying motivation for the troop withdrawal is the 30-day average limit on benefits for active-duty National Guard status. Under U.S. law, National Guard members who serve more than 30 aggregated days on federal active-duty orders within a fiscal year may become eligible for expanded benefits, including Veterans Affairs healthcare, GI Bill credits, and retirement point accrual.

By withdrawing troops before they reach this threshold, the federal government limits benefit obligations, preserving long-term costs. Though Reuters did not explicitly link this rule to the recent withdrawal, analysts note the pattern: short-duration domestic deployments help avoid triggering more costly, prolonged guard activations and reduce potential legal and financial liability tied to veterans’ entitlements.

Key Points

• 2,000 Guard troops withdrawn from LA after protests and legal pressure ABCReuters .
• Deployment was controversial—criticized as politically driven and unnecessary SF Chronicle .
• Official usage was limited, with under 20% actively patrolling the city SF Chronicle .
• Possible cost-saving measure: keeping deployments under 30 days prevents expanded veteran benefits liabilities.

Implications & Outlook

• Possible departures ahead: Remaining troops may be withdrawn before hitting benefit thresholds.
• Legal and political scrutiny: Deployment may bolster legislative or judicial assessments of domestic troop use.
• Impact on local capabilities: Redeployed troops could benefit wildfire, drug enforcement, or disaster responses in California.
• Federal strategy: Similar deployments may be structured to avoid the 30-day limit, reflecting a cost-aware approach.
• Future protests: Local activism and legal success may influence federal decisions on deployments in other states.

On July 15, 2025, Reuters reported that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the withdrawal of 2,000 National Guard troops from Los Angeles, halving the federal military presence in response to widespread protests triggered by immigration raids Reuters . The troops were initially deployed in June by President Trump—despite opposing views from California Governor Gavin