WASHINGTON — The military leadership overseeing troop deployment in Los Angeles has requested that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth considers redirecting 200 personnel to help combat wildfires, according to two U.S. officials.
In early June, President Donald Trump ordered approximately 4,000 California National Guard troops and an additional 800 Marines to Los Angeles despite opposition from Governor Gavin Newsom. The move was in response to protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities in the city.
This decision led to significant legal deliberations regarding the domestic use of federal troops and whether the administration would invoke the Insurrection Act. The act, which would grant military forces police powers, was not activated, though it remains a point of contention due to its rarity and the current political climate. Meanwhile, the Marines’ primary role has been to secure federal buildings. Yet, there has been at least one recorded instance of Marines briefly detaining civilians.
California is on the brink of its most perilous wildfire season, prompting concerns from Governor Newsom regarding the depleted state of the National Guard caused by the Los Angeles operations. Consequently, Gen. Gregory Guillot, leading the U.S. Northern Command, has submitted a formal request to Hegseth to reassign 200 National Guard members back to Joint Task Force Rattlesnake. This unit plays a critical role in California’s wildfire management efforts.
These discussions were revealed under conditions of anonymity, as the information has not been publicly disclosed.
President Trump has persistently described the situation as an “invasion” of migrants entering the country without legal documentation. During congressional budget hearings, questions arose about potentially extending troop deployments nationwide. Secretary Hegseth did not provide a definitive answer.
At the same time, Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, clarified to Congress that while he hadn’t identified any foreign or state-sponsored invasion, he would remain vigilant, acknowledging unresolved border security issues.