Pentagon Ends Service Of 700 Marines In Los Angeles

The Pentagon announced it would end the deployment of about 700 active Marines sent to Los Angeles last month to protect property and federal personnel during a series of protests over President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown.

The withdrawal follows last week's decision to withdraw about half of the 4,000 National Guard troops who were also sent to Los Angeles.

"With the return of stability in Los Angeles, the Minister has ordered the re-submission of 700 Marines whose presence sends a clear message: Violations of the law will not be tolerated," Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said.

Trump deployed the California Marines and National Guard to Los Angeles in June - against Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom - to defuse protests sparked by workplace immigration raids by Immigration and Customs agents.

Despite a lawsuit, the US appeals court allowed Trump to maintain control of the California National Guard.

Trump's decision to send troops to Los Angeles sparked a national debate about the use of the military on US soil and sparked political tensions in the country's second most populous city.

The Pentagon defended the deployment, saying the security of Immigration and Customs agents ensured they could carry out their duties, while praising the Marines.

"Their rapid response, their steadfast discipline, and their undisputed presence play an important role in restoring order and upholding the rule of law," Parnell said.

Trump vowed to illegally deport millions of people in the country and has carried out raids on work locations, including agriculture most excluded from law enforcement during his first term of office.

The Trump administration has faced dozens of lawsuits across the country that challenge its tactics.

Trump is increasingly turning to the military in his immigration crackdown.

In addition to sending troops to Los Angeles, thousands of active troops have been deployed to the border with Mexico, and the Pentagon has created military zones in border areas.

The zones are meant to allow the Trump administration to use troops to detain migrants without referring to the 1807 Insurgency Act which authorized the president to deploy the US military to suppress events such as civil unrest.