Pentagon Pulling 700 Marines Off LA Protest Response Mission

The Pentagon is withdrawing around 700 US Marines from Los Angeles, where they were deployed last month to respond to civil unrest. The Marines were sent to the city along with 4,000 National Guard troops in June, following protests and riots against federal immigration enforcement operations. President Donald Trump ordered the deployment, which was met with criticism from Democrat leaders at the state and local level. The Marines' presence was intended to send a clear message that lawlessness would not be tolerated, and their withdrawal indicates that stability has returned to the city. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated that the Marines' rapid response, discipline, and presence were instrumental in restoring order and upholding the rule of law. The Marines are assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, based out of Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California. Last week, the Pentagon announced that approximately half of the 4,000 National Guard troops would also be pulling back from the mission, leaving around 2,000 troops to continue guarding federal buildings and personnel in the city. California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, both Democrats, had criticized the deployment, with Bass celebrating the withdrawal of troops and describing the deployment as unnecessary. The Marines' withdrawal is seen as a sign that the situation in Los Angeles has stabilized, and they will be returning to their families.