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The Trump administration is deploying an additional 2,000 California Army National Guard troops to the Los Angeles area, even as local officials report that protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations have largely calmed.
The Pentagon confirmed the latest troop movement on Tuesday, bringing the total number of federal forces in the area to 4,800. That includes 700 U.S. Marines and 4,100 National Guard personnel. The Los Angeles Police Department reported no protest-related arrests since Saturday night, according to CNBC.
“As with other units identified to support this mission, the brigade will not directly participate in civilian law enforcement activities. The activation of the 49th is intended to provide Task Force 51 with adequate numbers of forces to provide continuous coverage of the area in support of the lead federal agency,” U.S. Northern Command said in a statement.
The decision to deploy more troops came just hours after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments over whether federal forces can be deployed unilaterally in U.S. cities or if command authority should be transferred to state officials. A ruling in the case is expected ahead of a Friday hearing in federal court in San Francisco.
The appeals court recently paused a decision by U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer that deemed President Donald Trump’s initial troop deployment unlawful.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass lifted the city’s nighttime curfew on Thursday, citing a reduction in protest activity. Despite this, Gov. Gavin Newsom criticized the continued military presence.
“This isn’t a new deployment — it’s the same group of soldiers who have been diverted from critical wildfire work and work at the border, now twiddling their thumbs for Donald Trump’s political theater,” said Diana Crofts-Pelayo, a spokesperson for Newsom.
The newest units to arrive include the 49th Military Police Brigade, which joins the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment under Task Force 51, led by Maj. Gen. Scott M. Sherman. While the troops will not be directly involved in civilian law enforcement, officials say they are in place to ensure Task Force 51 has adequate support.
