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Defense Secretary Pete Hegses They approved the release of 150 California State Guard members from a federal security mission in Los Angeles, and released them for wildfire obligations as the state entered its peak fire season.
The decision came at the recommendation of General Gregory Guillott, commander of the US Northern Command, who oversees the mission.
In a statement provided to Fox News, a USNORTHCOM spokesperson said: California National Guard From today’s federal protection mission, he added that the force remains “good procured.”
Trump administrator deploys another 2k troops in Blue City for anti-ice riots
Defense Secretary Pete Hegses will speak out at a meeting held at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia on July 1. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
The move comes days after Guillot reportedly requested the return of 200 troops to help contain the wildfire. Reported by the Associated Press.
National Guard Elite Joint Task Force Rattlesnake has grown thinly since the president Donald Trump In response to violent protests over immigration enforcement measures, approximately 4,000 California State Guard troops and 800 Marines were deployed in Los Angeles in early June.
According to DHS, the National Guard is permitted to detain ice attackers.
Members of the California State Guard are being formed during the protests in Los Angeles on June 14th. (David Pashaee/Middle East Images/AFP Getty Images)
The development sparked controversy among state political leaders, Includes Gov. Gavin Newsomcriticised the move to extract essential fire resources during the driest year on record. However, the Pentagon has been held firmly up until now.
Task Force 51 (TF-51), led by Major General Scott M. Sherman, is tasked with protecting federal personnel and property.
California State Guard soldiers stand outside a federal building on June 9th in Los Angeles. (David McNew/Getty Images)
According to the U.S. Army North, the TF-51 “provides quick deployment capabilities,” supporting land defense operations. A decorated combat veteran and longtime National Guard leader, Sherman also serves as a deputy commander for the US Army.
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Despite debate over the scope of the mission during Los Angeles’ anti-ice protest, Hegses stood behind it. With 150 troops released, it is based on 4,000 people, which were originally deployed, with about 3,850 troops.
“These men and women have signed up to serve as not Trump’s political props,” Newsom’s office wrote in a statement provided to Fox News Digital. “Between some of them to fight the fire is a step in the right direction, but thousands of soldiers are still blocked from their actual work as police officers, paramedics, summer school teachers and civil servants. It’s time to send them home.”
