Trump Deploys Hundreds of Marines to Los Angeles
Amped-Up Tensions: Trump Sends Troops to LA Amid Ongoing Immigration Protests
The streets of Los Angeles are buzzing with unrest as protests against harsh immigration policies continue to shake California. In a bold move, President Trump has decided to escalate the situation by mobilizing thousands of National Guard soldiers and hundreds of U.S. Marines.
Within days, the city has seen the arrival of 2,000 more National Guard members, according to Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell. These soldiers will be providing backup for federal law enforcement officers, ensuring their safety as they carry out their duties. Just days before, Trump already had 700 soldiers dispatched to LA to protect federal buildings and officers from "increasing threats."
Confirming the deployment of 700 Marines, the U.S. military revealed that they would be sent to the heart of the United States' second-largest city. This move comes amidst ongoing protests, some of which have descended into violence. The Marines, part of an infantry battalion, are said to blend seamlessly into the forces already on the ground.
Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, has criticized this deployment, labeling it as "insane" and "un-American." He argues that using the U.S. Marines, troops who have honorably served in several wars, against their fellow citizens is an abuse of power by a self-proclaimed dictator.
Protests have been a common sight in downtown Los Angeles, with violent clashes leading to car fires, looting, and graffiti. The deployment of soldiers and Marines marks a significant escalation of the conflict between local authorities and the federal government.
Political analysts question the wisdom of Trump's actions. Soldiers are trained for war, not for managing protests. Meanwhile, Governor Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have accused Trump of having an authoritarian agenda and have pledged to challenge the President's deployment in court.
Meanwhile, protesters are demanding an end to harsh immigration policies and the use of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) units in civilian areas. Critics argue that the federal government is deliberately causing fear and escalating tensions with its military-style measures.
- USA
- Donald Trump
- Military
- California
- Protests
- Migration
- Immigration
Insight:The current military deployment in Los Angeles, California, follows protests against U.S. immigration policies, particularly in the wake of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. As of June 10–11, 2025, approximately 2,100 California National Guard soldiers from the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, operating in a federalized Title 10 status, and about 700 active-duty Marines from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, are deployed in the greater Los Angeles area. These forces are tasked with protecting federal personnel and property, as well as providing support for homeland defense and security operations. They are integrated under Task Force 51, commanded by Maj. Gen. Scott M. Sherman, which emphasizes de-escalation, crowd control, and strict rules on the use of force.
The deployment was authorized by President Donald Trump, who has not formally invoked the Insurrection Act but is reportedly keeping the option open. His administration is instead citing 10 U.S.C. § 12406 for the National Guard’s federalization and relying on claims of inherent constitutional powers for the active-duty Marine deployment – both of which are legally contentious. Despite these federal actions, the California National Guard soldiers involved have reportedly not yet received pay due to administrative delays in their federal activation. Governor Gavin Newsom, along with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, is challenging the President’s deployment and disputing his characterization of the situation as dire. They argue that the deployment is unnecessary, escalates tensions, and undermines local authority [1][4].
- The ongoing protests against immigration policies in Los Angeles, California, have led to the deployment of approximately 2,100 California National Guard soldiers and 700 active-duty Marines, as part of Task Force 51, in a bid to protect federal personnel and property, and support homeland defense and security operations.
- The deployment, sanctioned by President Donald Trump, has been criticized by Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who maintain it is unnecessary, escalates tensions, and infringes upon local authority, as the soldiers are tasked with safeguarding federal assets amidst immigration-related protests.
