Guard in L.A. Feels USED and ABANDONED!

California National Guard troops deployed to Los Angeles during recent anti-ICE protests have found themselves unpaid, under-equipped, and underutilized—sparking growing concern among military families and state officials.

At a Glance

• Nearly 4,000 California Guard soldiers and Marines were deployed without activation orders, leaving them unpaid and without military benefits
• Troops have been forced to sleep on concrete floors without bedding, food, or adequate sanitation
• Service members report low morale and feel they are being used as political pawns
• California officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom, challenge the legality of the federal deployment
• A court hearing is pending to determine if the activation violated state rights under the Constitution

“Morale Is Not Great”

According to The Guardian, service members and their families have expressed deep dissatisfaction with the mission. Many feel the deployment serves political goals more than public safety, with one military spouse stating that troops feel like “political pawns.” The absence of official activation orders means these service members are not receiving standard pay, housing stipends, or Tricare health benefits.

Sleeping on Floors, Lacking Basics

Reporting from the San Francisco Chronicle revealed exclusive photos showing National Guard troops sleeping on bare concrete floors inside federal buildings. They were reportedly left without food, water, or even access to proper sanitation facilities. Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the situation harshly, saying, “You sent your troops here without fuel, food, water or a place to sleep.”

Legal & Political Fallout

President Trump authorized the federalization of National Guard units in Los Angeles without Governor Newsom’s consent, effectively doubling the military presence to over 4,000 personnel. In response, Newsom filed a legal challenge, accusing the administration of overstepping its constitutional authority. A federal court is expected to hear the case soon to determine whether the activation violated state sovereignty.

Balancing Safety, Politics & Service Members

The deployment has reignited concerns about the militarization of civil unrest and the risks posed to both protestors and military personnel when deployments are poorly coordinated. Experts warn that the mission’s unclear objectives and logistical failures mirror past mistakes during the January 6th response and the 1992 L.A. riots, when delayed coordination nearly led to further violence.

With troops unpaid, ill-equipped, and legally contested, the National Guard’s deployment in Los Angeles underscores a critical breakdown in crisis management—and leaves thousands of service members stranded in a political quagmire.