Tensions in LA: Marine Corps Deployed by Trump Amid Escalating Unrest
Protests Erupt in Los Angeles: President Trump Deploys Marine Infantry Troops - Civil Disorders in Los Angeles: President Trump Deploys U.S. Marines
The USPresident has made an atypical decision, sending 700 troops from the esteemed US Marine Corps unit to Los Angeles to safeguard the city amidst growing threats towards federal officers and buildings, according to reports from AFP news agency.
This deployment of soldiers, like the Marines, in a US city is rarely seen. Expert US military analyst Rachel VanLandingham commented in an interview with AFP that such an order from the President is highly unusual and not a part of their role or training to work with local law enforcement agencies, raising concerns about potential complications.
On Saturday, Trump ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard soldiers to Los Angeles against the wishes of Governor Gavin Newsom and the city administration. Monday saw another 2,000 National Guard soldiers added to the ranks. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell mentioned that the National Guard would be supporting ICE and allowing federal authorities to carry out their duties securely.
California officials have stressed that the majority of protesters have been peaceful and that local forces are capable of maintaining order. However, city residents have criticized the arrival of active military personnel: "They're supposed to protect us, but instead, they're sent to age against us," said 47-year-old Kelly Diemer. "This isn't a democracy anymore."
The deployment followed protests on Sunday, during which protesters torched cars and looted stores. The protests were ignited by immigration raids where masked and armed officers arrested migrants as they traveled in cars.
56 arrests have been made in Los Angeles, with five police officers suffering minor injuries. The city of San Francisco also experienced protests, resulting in 60 arrests. Confrontations between protesters and law enforcement also occurred in New York and Austin, Texas, with numerous arrests in New York.
Governor Newsom strongly criticized Trump's tactics. "The Marine Corps have honorably fought to protect democracy in several conflicts," the Democrat stated on X. "They should not be used to face their fellow citizens on American soil to fulfill the baseless dreams of a power-hungry president." He announced plans to sue Trump.
Trump, a right-wing populist who won the election after stoking aggression and racist slogans towards migrants, has escalated immigration crackdowns across the nation since returning to office in January.
- City: Los Angeles
- President: Donald Trump
- Deportation: Policy
- Governor: Gavin Newsom
- Riot
- Migrants
- California
- US Military
- ICE
- AFP
- Police
- Protests
Insights:
- Protests erupted in Los Angeles following immigration raids by ICE, conducted as per orders from the Trump administration.
- Over 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines were deployed by Trump in response to these protests, without the consent of California’s Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom.
- The deployment has received widespread criticism for allegedly violating state sovereignty, federal law, and risking military overreach.
- Public support varies, with differences along partisan lines: 86% of Republicans approved of the deployment, while over three-quarters of Democrats opposed it.
- The deployment has raised concerns about financial inefficiency, with estimates suggesting a cost of approximately $134 million.
- In light of the ongoing immigration raids and subsequent protests in Los Angeles, Governor Gavin Newsom critiqued Donald Trump's controversial deportation policy, expressing concerns about military overreach by deploying over 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines.
- Amidst the heated debates on politics and general news surrounding the deployment of troops in Los Angeles, key figures like Gavin Newsom argue that the US military is not to be used as a means to enforce the federal immigration authorities' duties, questioning the validity and integrity of the democracy.
