Bass Claims Victory in LA; Pete Hegseth Responds

The Pentagon has confirmed that the National Guard has wrapped up its mission in Los Angeles. More than 1,300 troops were pulled out after they were sent in June to help restore order in the city. This all kicked off when President Trump, on June 7, decided to send in the troops following violent anti-ICE protests.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass found herself in hot water during this period. She was on a trip to Ghana at the time, which didn’t sit well with many. Critics pointed out that she left town even though there were fire weather warnings in place.

Interestingly, Bass claimed she wasn’t aware of any danger before she jetted off. People were quick to call her out, saying she was lying. Her own social media accounts had shared the alerts about the fire risks.

Some voices are now calling for Bass to step down from her position. They argue that her lack of presence during a critical time was inexcusable. The pressure on her has only grown stronger as more details come to light.

The situation in Los Angeles heated up again in June, when protests turned into riots. Local officials struggled to manage the chaos, which led to the Trump administration stepping in with the National Guard. This move happened without formal approval from California Governor Gavin Newsom.

The New York Times reported on Wednesday that approximately 1,350 troops were withdrawn. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed that about 250 personnel would stay to protect federal property. “The Pentagon on Wednesday released more than a thousand troops who had been sent to Los Angeles in June,” the Times noted.

The troops were part of the California National Guard’s 49th Military Police Brigade. Their mission was initially set to last 60 days, but they wrapped up a bit early. The presence of the troops was a contentious issue during their deployment.

Mayor Bass framed the troop withdrawal as a political win for her administration. She suggested that her office’s communication with the Pentagon influenced the decision. However, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was quick to clarify that the drawdown was planned and not due to political pressure.

Hegseth stated, “The withdrawal was always part of the operational timeline.” He emphasized that the mission’s objectives were met well before the conclusion of the deployment. The troops were sent home because their work was completed, not because of local politics.

The White House had signaled the troop timeline early on, with Trump’s directive being clear from the start. While the withdrawal marks the end of the Guard’s main mission, a few troops remain in Los Angeles. Their role is to continue supporting security operations as needed.

The deployment of the National Guard had sparked legal debates between Trump and Governor Newsom. Newsom was not happy about the federal government deploying troops without state consent. Trump, however, cited the need to protect national security and restore order.

During the unrest, Los Angeles saw significant looting, vandalism, and attacks on law enforcement. Federal buildings and personnel were especially targeted, which justified the Guard’s presence. The troops played a crucial role in securing federal property.

With most of the Guard now gone, the Pentagon remains committed to supporting security in Los Angeles. A small number of troops will continue to be stationed in the city. Their presence ensures that federal facilities remain protected.

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