The Department of Defense is reportedly considering ending the deployment of troops in Los Angeles, a move that has been criticized for diverting resources from critical firefighting operations in California. The Associated Press reports that the top military commander overseeing these troops has requested Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to reassign 200 soldiers back to firefighting duties, aligning with Governor Gavin Newsom’s ongoing appeals.
California is currently facing multiple fires and anticipates red flag conditions. Task Force Rattlesnake, a key firefighting unit within the California National Guard (CalGuard), is operating at only 40% capacity due to eight out of its fourteen teams being redirected to Los Angeles under President Trump’s orders. This federalization of the Guard has been labeled illegal and inefficient by critics.
Governor Gavin Newsom expressed his support for the military commander’s request, stating: “We’re glad to see the top military commander overseeing Trump’s illegal militarization of Los Angeles agree: it’s time to pull back National Guard troops and get them back to their critical firefighting duties. President Trump: listen to your military leaders, and stop the political theater.”
Joint Task Force Rattlesnake consists of over 300 CalGuard members who assist CAL FIRE in combating wildfires. The reassignment of these troops has forced CAL FIRE to cover staffing shortages caused by this federal intervention.
In addition to impacting wildfire response efforts, President Trump’s actions have also affected public safety measures by reducing California’s National Guard fentanyl and drug interdiction force by 32%, weakening border security operations against fentanyl trafficking.
Despite these challenges, California remains committed to protecting its communities from wildfires. CAL FIRE has expanded its workforce significantly over recent years and plans further recruitment drives in response to increasing demands. The state continues investing in wildfire resilience through various initiatives including Governor Newsom’s emergency proclamation aimed at accelerating forest management projects.
To enhance aerial firefighting capabilities, Governor Newsom announced that a second C-130 Hercules airtanker is now operational as part of what he describes as “the largest aerial firefighting fleet in the world.” These efforts are part of broader strategies implemented by California amid changing climate conditions.
