The redirection of one-third of the California National Guard's counterdrug forces to Los Angeles, as ordered by President Trump, has sparked concerns over the weakening of the state's border drug interdiction operations, particularly those aimed at fentanyl smuggling. According to a recent statement by Governor Gavin Newsom, the withdrawal of approximately 32% of the servicemembers from the CalGuard’s Counterdrug Task Force has significantly reduced the task force's presence at ports of entry, which is where fentanyl is majorly smuggled into the United States.
Despite prior increases in staffing to combat transnational crimes, the recent reassignments have forced California’s National Guard to operate at a reduced capacity, with now less than 4,000 servicemembers available statewide. The Governor's office highlighted that these service members are currently placed at Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos, a situation viewed as counterproductive given the surge in fentanyl and drug trafficking across the border.
The consequences extend beyond drug interdiction. Gov. Newsom has emphasized the crucial role the CalGuard plays in various public safety operations, including fire response in a state that notoriously battles with severe wildfires. The National Guard’s Task Force Rattlesnake, a critical firefighting crew, is operating at a depleted strength of just 40% capacity, as detailed in the Governor’s statement. This means that what previously were nine operational teams out of 14 just last week have now been reduced to merely six.
In the realm of youth and community supports, Task Force Torch, which assists at-risk youth, has also taken a substantial hit, with nearly half of its dedicated members affected by the reshuffling. This strike to the program disrupts existing efforts at fostering positive community relationships and guiding vulnerable youth. "Whether it’s fentanyl takedown operations or wildfire response, the California National Guard plays a critical role in protecting our communities — and Trump is deliberately undermining that work," Gov. Newsom stated.
Adding to the criticism, a group of retired military officials, including four-star generals and admirals, as well as former secretaries of the Army and Navy, have voiced concerns over President Trump’s deployment of the CalGuard. A recent brief and reports from veteran rights’ groups underline the inefficient use of federalized servicemembers, with less than 20% actively engaged in their designated tasks, as reported by the Governor’s office.
Gov. Newsom's administration has previously intensified its fight against opioids, particularly fentanyl, with the CalGuard's Counterdrug Task Force's operations being a critical component. Since its inception in 2021, the collective efforts of servicemembers, alongside local and federal agencies, have resulted in the seizure of nearly 31,000 pounds of fentanyl and more than 50 million fentanyl-containing pills. This year, the team has helped seize 2,411 pounds of fentanyl and close to 1.5 million pills, with an estimated street value of nearly $16 million, as detailed in the Governor's office statistics.
