150 National Guard troops released from federal mission in Los Angeles
www.nbclosangeles.com
Some of the California National Guard members sent to Los Angeles last month in response to immigration enforcement protests are being released from the mission, authorities said Tuesday. In a statement, U.S. Northern Command said 150 members of the federalized National Guard assigned to protect federal properties and personnel in Los Angeles will be released more than three weeks after…

The release of the Guard members comes a day after the Associated Press reported that the top military commander in charge of the task force troops asked whether 200 could be returned to wildfire fighting duty, two U.S. officials told the AP. National Guard members perform a variety of duties, including helping to prevent and fight wildfires through Joint Task Force Rattlesnake.

“At the recommendation of Gen. Gregory M. Guillot, Commander, U.S. Northern Command, and approved by the Secretary of Defense, Task Force 51 will release approximately 150 members of the California National Guard from the Federal Protection mission today,” U.S. Northern Command said in a statement. “USNORTHCOM and Task Force 51 are still appropriately sourced to conduct our Federal Protection Mission.”

Activation of the National Guard in response to the immigration enforcement protests drew opposition from local and state leaders, including Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. The Guard is usually activated by the governor at the request of local leaders.