L.A. Mayor Declares Victory As Troops Move Out, But Pete Hegseth Has Last Word

Democratic Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass immediately declared victory when reports began to circulate that more than 1,000 U.S. troops were being pulled back from her city, but it was Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth who got the last word.

Bass shared a New York Times article reporting the imminent drawdown of 1,350 American service members — who were initially deployed to the California city to protect federal personnel and property as violent protests and riots threatened the work and safety of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents — and added her own comment.

“Another win for Los Angeles tonight: 1,000 more troops are retreating. We will continue this pressure until ALL troops are out of L.A.,” she crowed, claiming that the troops were “retreating” under pressure from politicians like herself.

Another win for Los Angeles tonight: 1,000 more troops are retreating.

We will continue this pressure until ALL troops are out of L.A.https://t.co/spbTtO09TS

— Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) July 31, 2025

Hegseth responded to Bass, explaining that the troops were only leaving Los Angeles because the situation was finally under control — which it certainly was not when they had first arrived — and they were able to redeploy elsewhere having completed a successful mission in her city despite her unwillingness to help.

“You’re welcome Mayor,” Hegseth posted. “These brave troops are redeploying because their mission was so successful. You should be thanking them for saving your city from mobs & chaos. We will continue to support law enforcement—even when you won’t.”

You’re welcome Mayor.

These brave troops are redeploying because their mission was so successful.

You should be thanking them for saving your city from mobs & chaos.

We will continue to support law enforcement—even when you won’t. https://t.co/BQPKfDQTJk

— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) July 31, 2025

Hegseth was not the only one to respond to the L.A. mayor’s claims.

“What an actual idiot … They are not ‘retreating.’ They are redeploying, because they did their job, you Marxist,” actor Dean Cain replied.

What an actual idiot…
They are not “retreating.” They are redeploying, because they did their job, you Marxist. https://t.co/dS1vFXylcD

— Dean Cain (@RealDeanCain) July 31, 2025

“You’re not pressuring anyone or anything. The Trump Administration moved in, quelled the chaos and did the job you’re incapable of doing. Now that the job is done, the troops are being moved out. If we left the them there indefinitely, you’d b**** about that, too. You’re a joke!” another posted.

You’re not pressuring anyone or anything. The Trump Administration moved in, quelled the chaos and did the job you’re incapable of doing. Now that the job is done, the troops are being moved out. If we left the them there indefinitely, you’d bitch about that, too. You’re a joke!

— Suburban Black Man ???????? (@niceblackdude) July 31, 2025

“You realize that you are completely irrelevant and inconsequential to ANY troop movements, right? You’re like a spectator in the stands, watching a team win, and then cheering, ‘I DID IT!!'” another said.

You realize that you are completely irrelevant and inconsequential to ANY troop movements, right?

You’re like a spectator in the stands, watching a team win, and then cheering, “I DID IT!!”

— Grateful Calvin (@shoveitjack) July 31, 2025

Approximately 250 troops remain in Los Angeles, according to Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell, and they will remain there as long as necessary to continue protecting federal personnel and property.