Nearly all National Guard soldiers deployed in Los Angeles are being demobilized, with only about 300 remaining on duty, according to a statement from California Governor Gavin Newsom. The deployment began nearly two months ago after the federal government ordered the mobilization of almost 5,000 California National Guard members in the area.
Governor Newsom is urging President Trump to allow the remaining soldiers to return home. “President Trump is realizing that his political theater backfired. This militarization was always unnecessary and deeply unpopular. The President must do the right thing to end this illegal militarization now because the economic and societal impacts are dire. The women and men of our military deserve more than to be used as props in the federal government’s propaganda machine,” said Governor Newsom.
So far, approximately 4,700 guardsmembers have been demobilized or have started that process. However, an estimated 300 remain stationed at Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos without clear orders or a timeline for their return.
Earlier this month, federal authorities withdrew 2,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines from their mission in Los Angeles. Despite these withdrawals, nearly 2,000 soldiers remained at Los Alamitos until recently.
The state has raised concerns about the economic impact of these deployments and related immigration enforcement actions. Following increased military presence and immigration raids across California, private sector employment dropped by 3.1 percent—a decline comparable only to levels seen during COVID-19 lockdowns.
Governor Newsom recently met with restaurant owners in Bell and faith leaders in Downey to discuss how immigration actions have affected small businesses.
Economic forecasts suggest further contraction for California’s economy later this year due to ongoing global tariffs and continued immigration raids impacting key industries such as construction, hospitality, and agriculture. A UCLA Anderson forecast indicates that mass arrests and deportations could reduce California’s economy by $275 billion and eliminate $23 billion in annual tax revenue (https://www.anderson.ucla.edu/about/centers/ucla-anderson-forecast).
State officials also warn that removing immigrant workers—both undocumented individuals and those losing lawful status—could delay rebuilding projects after wildfires, disrupt food supply chains, increase costs statewide, and result in lost tax contributions from immigrants who paid $8.5 billion in state and local taxes in 2022.
The redeployment of CalGuard servicemembers from their usual duties—including counterdrug operations at ports of entry—has also raised public safety concerns across California communities.
Many of those called up for duty under federal orders serve as doctors, law enforcement officers, teachers, contractors, technology specialists, civil servants, educators, corrections officers, service workers or agricultural employees when not on active military assignment.
Community leaders across political lines argue that these actions undermine both society and economy while diminishing the value provided by military personnel both inside and outside uniformed service.
A bipartisan group of 25 former governors filed a legal brief supporting Governor Newsom’s challenge against the federalization order known as Newsom v. Trump; they argue it violates principles of state sovereignty by disrupting the balance between state governments and Washington (https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/20/20-157/154553/20200817154202117_20-157%20Brief%20of%2025%20Former%20Governors.pdf). Additional briefs were submitted by retired admirals/generals as well as veterans’ organizations warning about risks posed by what they call an illegal takeover of CalGuard units.
