Guarding Two Fronts: Navigating Protests and Wildfires in California

Amidst protests against immigration raids in Los Angeles, top military commander requests a return of 200 National Guard troops to fight wildfires in California. Legal questions arise over troop deployment domestically. The Insurrection Act remains unused, but some troops have detained civilians. Governor Newsom warns of understaffed wildfire units.

In response to protests against immigration raids in Los Angeles, a top military commander has approached Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth with a request to reassign 200 National Guard troops back to wildfire duties, as confirmed by two US officials.

Despite President Donald Trump's movement of roughly 4,000 California National Guard troops and 800 active-duty Marines to manage the protests, Governor Gavin Newsom cautions about resource limitations as the state faces peak wildfire season.

While deployment of these federal troops has sparked legal debates, the Insurrection Act has remained unused. Yet, the pressing needs of wildfire management require strategic reallocation of forces.

(With inputs from agencies.)