‘There’s not much to do’: National Guard troops deployed to LA mainly fought one thing – boredom
National Guard troops and Marines deployed to Los Angeles during last month’s anti-ICE protests say their biggest problem wasn’t demonstrators – but boredom and low morale.
Trump sent more than 4,000 California National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Southern California last month as thousands of people took to the streets in protest of the administration’s widespread immigration enforcement. The troops were sent to quell “lawlessness,” the administration said, but several service members spoke to the contrary.
“There’s not much to do,” one Marine, who was not named, told the Los Angeles Times. After the protests died down a month ago, the marine said his duties had mostly involved approving access for visitors and workers at the Veterans Affairs office.
Steve Woolford, a resource counselor for GI Rights Hotline, told the Los Angeles Times that many troops have told him they have little to do.
“The most recent people I talked to sounded like they’re sitting around bored without much to do,” Woolford said. “And they’re happy with that: They aren’t asking to do more. At the same time, I don’t think people see a real purpose in what they’re doing at all.”
Some National Guard troops deployed to LA also told The New York Times they are being ordered to back up federal immigration agents in the region. Six service members told the outlet that there’s low morale among those stationed around LA, as well as concern that this mission could hurt future recruitment. Some said they believe Trump sent them to the city on a “fake mission.”
A National Guard official told The New York Times this mission could hurt morale in the long term.
“The moral injuries of this operation, I think, will be enduring,” the official said. “This is not what the military of our country was designed to do, at all.”
The Independent has contacted the White House for comment.
The Trump administration ordered the release of 2,000 troops from the mission Tuesday, leaving half of them still in place.
California Governor Gavin Newsom accused Trump of “exploiting” troops as “political pawns.”
“Thousands of members are still federalized in Los Angeles for no reason and unable to carry out their critical duties across the state,” Newsom wrote on X Tuesday. “End this theater and send everyone home.”
Trump deployed the troops last month after demonstrations swelled against widespread ICE raids across California, including in LA’s Fashion District and the nearby city of Paramount.
The protests stretched on for days and footage showed clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement, particularly after the National Guard arrived, with police in riot gear using tear gas to disperse people.
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