Tom Boggioni
June 12, 2025
RAW STORY
Members of the California National Guard stand guard, as a demonstration against federal immigration sweeps takes place, outside the Edward R. Roybal federal building, after their deployment by President Trump, in Los Angeles, June 8. REUTERS/Mike Blake
In the Donald Trump administration's haste to federalize California National Guard troops to hit the streets of Los Angeles to protect ICE agents grabbing immigrants, the Pentagon has dropped the ball on providing the paperwork that would get them paid and activate their benefits, according to a report.
In interviews with more than a dozen of those deployed, Military.com found frustration that the Department of Defense, under Secretary Pete Hegseth, is not upholding its obligation to provide their "formal activation orders, the critical paperwork that not only authorizes their duty status, but also unlocks pay, Tricare health benefits and eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs benefits."
The report notes that the hasty move to send the Guard to LA, bypassing a request from Gov. Gavin Newsom, is a contributing factor to the snafu.
ALSO READ: Trump ordered troops to LA because he's still angry city voted against him: Rep
Add to that, the unpopularity of the militarized occupation of an American city has put off local merchants who are normally supportive of the military.
According to the report, the failure of the administration is "... indicative of a slapdash mission where the welfare of troops has not been a priority. Several service members described inadequate living conditions at staging areas such as the military facility at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, on the outskirts of Los Angeles, where soldiers are sleeping outside on cots due to a shortage of space. Others cited intermittent issues with food and fuel supplies."
The report adds that traditionally, when the National Guard is deployed to assist in distressed communities, they are welcomed with open arms. But soldiers are getting the cold shoulder this time.
"One midlevel officer said their unit would receive 'extremely generous' help when deployed to combat wildfires, including water, sports drinks and food, which played a significant role in morale and tightened the Guard-community relationship," the report notes, before adding one officer conceded, "This is a situation [where] we're against the community."
You can read more here.
‘Morale is not great’: Troops say they feel 'used' by Trump's LA deployment
Members of the California National Guard stand guard, as a demonstration against federal immigration sweeps takes place, outside the Edward R. Roybal federal building, after their deployment by President Trump, in Los Angeles, June 8. REUTERS/Mike Blake
In the Donald Trump administration's haste to federalize California National Guard troops to hit the streets of Los Angeles to protect ICE agents grabbing immigrants, the Pentagon has dropped the ball on providing the paperwork that would get them paid and activate their benefits, according to a report.
In interviews with more than a dozen of those deployed, Military.com found frustration that the Department of Defense, under Secretary Pete Hegseth, is not upholding its obligation to provide their "formal activation orders, the critical paperwork that not only authorizes their duty status, but also unlocks pay, Tricare health benefits and eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs benefits."
The report notes that the hasty move to send the Guard to LA, bypassing a request from Gov. Gavin Newsom, is a contributing factor to the snafu.
ALSO READ: Trump ordered troops to LA because he's still angry city voted against him: Rep
Add to that, the unpopularity of the militarized occupation of an American city has put off local merchants who are normally supportive of the military.
According to the report, the failure of the administration is "... indicative of a slapdash mission where the welfare of troops has not been a priority. Several service members described inadequate living conditions at staging areas such as the military facility at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, on the outskirts of Los Angeles, where soldiers are sleeping outside on cots due to a shortage of space. Others cited intermittent issues with food and fuel supplies."
The report adds that traditionally, when the National Guard is deployed to assist in distressed communities, they are welcomed with open arms. But soldiers are getting the cold shoulder this time.
"One midlevel officer said their unit would receive 'extremely generous' help when deployed to combat wildfires, including water, sports drinks and food, which played a significant role in morale and tightened the Guard-community relationship," the report notes, before adding one officer conceded, "This is a situation [where] we're against the community."
You can read more here.
‘Morale is not great’: Troops say they feel 'used' by Trump's LA deployment
Erik De La Garza
June 12, 2025
RAW STORY
Police officers and members of the California National Guard stand next to demonstrators outside the Edward R. Roybal Federal building during a protest against federal immigration sweeps in downtown Los Angeles, California, U.S. June 10, 2025. REUTERS/David Swanson TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
California National Guard troops and Marines sent to Los Angeles amid ongoing protests say their deployment feels more like political theater than a meaningful national service assignment, according to a new Guardian report.
“Morale is not great, is the quote I keep hearing,” said Chris Purdy of the Chamberlain Network, who’s spoken with multiple National Guard members since their sudden deployment.
Marine veteran Janessa Goldbeck, who runs the Vet Voice Foundation, reported similar findings among troops she’s been in contact with.
“Among all that I spoke with, the feeling was that the Marines are being used as political pawns, and it strains the perception that Marines are apolitical,” Goldbeck told the Guardian.
Military advocacy groups say they’ve heard dozens of complaints from service members upset about being drawn into domestic policing roles.
“The sentiment across the board right now is that deploying military force against our own communities isn’t the kind of national security we signed up for,” Sarah Streyder of the Secure Families Initiative told the Guardian.
In an “unusual step,” President Donald Trump activated 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines – bypassing California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s consent, according to the report. A federal judge temporarily blocked the deployment Thursday night.
Trump has described Los Angeles as a “trash heap” at risk of being “obliterated” by protesters.
But the reality, according to the Guardian, was that the anti-Trump protests “have been largely peaceful and restricted to just a few blocks around downtown federal buildings.”
The dissatisfaction with the Trump administration’s stepped-up immigration enforcement is also showing up in a pair of public polls – from YouGov and the Washington Post – that show disapproval of both the deployment and immigration crackdown.
“The overall perception was that the situation was nowhere at the level where Marines were necessary,” Goldbeck concluded.
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