California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a demand Monday for the "immediate withdrawal" of all remaining soldiers from Los Angeles following the Pentagon's announcement that U.S. Marines would be pulling out of the city.

According to Breitbart, Newsom criticized the continued military presence as unnecessary political theater by President Trump and advisor Stephen Miller. The Democratic governor's statement comes as federal authorities continue Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations targeting criminal illegal aliens in the city.

Newsom expressed particular concern for California National Guard members, whom he described as being used inappropriately in what he characterized as performative politics. The governor made no similar statements regarding civilian safety concerns related to criminal illegal aliens that ICE continues to arrest and deport throughout the region. His statement specifically called for ending what he termed "the militarization once and for all."

Trump's Federal Military Response

President Trump federalized the California National Guard last month over Newsom's strong objections and deployed Marines to protect federal sites from anti-ICE riots. The military deployment was designed to contain civil unrest that emerged in response to immigration enforcement operations in the Los Angeles area. The federal intervention came after initial protests began targeting immigration enforcement activities.

The federal intervention successfully prevented anti-ICE riots from spreading beyond downtown Los Angeles after initial attempts by protesters to block major highways and inspire similar demonstrations elsewhere. Trump's decisive action appeared aimed at preventing a repeat of the widespread Black Lives Matter riots from summer 2020 that had paralyzed much of the country. The deployment contained the unrest and maintained order during the contentious immigration enforcement period.

Left-wing activists had apparently intended to recreate the scale and impact of those earlier riots, which had excited the Democratic Party voter base but caused significant disruption nationwide. The military presence effectively contained the unrest and prevented the spread of violence to other areas. Federal authorities maintained their position that the deployment was necessary to protect federal facilities and personnel.

Local Officials Challenge Deployment

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass joined Newsom in objecting to the military deployments, arguing that violence would only cease once ICE raids on illegal migrants ended completely. Bass has been vocal in her opposition to federal immigration enforcement operations within city limits. The mayor has consistently maintained that federal enforcement activities are the root cause of civil unrest.

Last week, when half of the 4,000 National Guard troops were withdrawn from the area, Bass claimed victory despite the Trump administration making no concessions regarding ICE operations. The mayor's declaration came even as immigration enforcement activities continued at their previous pace throughout Los Angeles. Bass interpreted the partial withdrawal as validation of her opposition to the military presence.

The reduction in military personnel followed the successful containment of initial protest activities, though federal authorities maintained their commitment to ongoing immigration enforcement. Both Bass and Newsom have consistently opposed federal immigration operations within California's borders. Local officials continue to resist federal immigration enforcement despite the military deployment's effectiveness in maintaining order.

Legal Battles and Future Deployment

Newsom is now demanding withdrawal of the remaining 2,000 California National Guard soldiers currently stationed in Los Angeles. The governor previously challenged the commander-in-chief's authority to control the National Guard through federal court action. His latest demand represents an escalation of his ongoing conflict with federal authorities over military deployment.

However, Newsom lost his legal challenge when federal courts upheld the president's constitutional authority to federalize and deploy National Guard units. The court ruling affirmed the executive branch's broad powers over military deployment during times of civil unrest. This legal defeat has not deterred Newsom from continuing his public opposition to the federal military presence.

The ongoing standoff between state and federal authorities highlights broader tensions over immigration enforcement and the appropriate use of military resources. Newsom's latest demand sets up another potential confrontation between California officials and the Trump administration over federal authority within state borders.

Constitutional Authority Prevails

The dispute reflects fundamental disagreements about immigration policy and the role of military forces in domestic law enforcement operations. Federal courts have consistently upheld the presidential authority to federalize National Guard units during times of domestic unrest. The legal precedent strongly favors federal control over state Guard units when civil order is threatened.

The successful containment of anti-ICE riots demonstrates the effectiveness of federal military intervention in preventing widespread civil unrest. Trump's deployment prevented the kind of prolonged urban violence that characterized the 2020 Black Lives Matter riots across multiple cities.

The measured use of military force achieved its stated objectives without escalating tensions beyond manageable levels.