US Marines deployed to LA amid anti‑ICE riots as protests escalate
The U.S. sends 500 Marines to Los Angeles to secure federal property as anti-ICE protests grow more intense, following President Trump’s earlier deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops.
To try to maintain control and suppress the riots surrounding the protests in Los Angeles, President Donald Trump has deployed a battalion of 700 U.S. Marines, tasked with protecting federal property and personnel.
While the Marines will have the authority to use the protests and their duration will be unlimited, they will not be performing a law enforcement role. However, it is still unclear what their methods of use of force will be if protesters spit on them or throw objects.
Trump deploys Marines to L.A. after National Guard, says protests now 'under control'
This deployment will follow Donald Trump's deployment of 2,000 National Guard members to Los Angeles. The Marine battalions being deployed are from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment based in Twentynine Palms, California.
Moments before the official deployment, President Trump expressed optimism that the situation is gradually improving. "I think we have it pretty well under control," he told the press. "I think it would have been a very serious situation. It was going in the wrong direction. Now it's going in the right direction," Trump commented.
Newsom sues Trump over unauthorized National Guard deployment
The mobilization has included protests and lawsuits against the American government. This is what happened with California Governor Gavin Newsom, who a few hours ago filed a lawsuit against the Donald Trump administration for deploying the National Guard to the protests because federal law only allows the armed forces to carry out domestic law enforcement tasks unless the President invokes the Insurrection Act.
U.S. Marines from Camp Pendleton prepare to deploy to Los Angeles, as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth cites rising threats and criticizes Governor Gavin Newsom’s lack of action. Photo: Pete Hegseth X account
Newsom claimed that Pete Hegseth, the Secretary of Defense, and Donald Trump, Pete Hegseth, "trampled" on California's sovereignty by calling up the state's National Guard without Governor Newsom's approval. Trump responded that it was disrespectful. "Such disrespect will not be tolerated!" the President commented.
