US MarinesTouch Down at Seal Beach, Gearing Up for LA Streets
U.S. Marines prepare for activities in Los Angeles this Friday, preceding nationwide demonstrations against President Trump.
Marines are gearing up for a stint in the streets of Los Angeles as they train at Seal Beach, just south of L.A. County. (KTTV)
L.A. locals might spot some Marine faces in their neighborhood as early as tomorrow, with joint protection initiatives with the National Guard set to kick off on Friday.
As per our source, around 700 Marines were dispatched by President Donald Trump. In Seal Beach, they've been honing their skills in nonlethal tactics, such as hand-to-hand combat and managing crowds.
Seal Beach's training sessions have concluded, and the Marines have shifted to "familiarization" drills alongside the National Guard in Los Angeles.
National Guard militia can already be found protecting downtown L.A., following an immigration raid fiasco back in 2025, according to AP photos.
*NATIONAL GUARD PAINS ANTI-ICE DISSIDENTS IN L.A. UNDER TRUMP COMMAND*
Insiders report that the Marines are wrapping up their training and moving into a mission-familiarization phase with the 79th IBCT. It's possible you'll start encountering Marines in L.A. as soon as today, although they haven't officially commenced operations as yet.
About 2,000 National Guard troops are still camped out in L.A., as protests are expected to carry on through the weekend.
*MARINES HAVEN'T HIT THE LA STREETS YET, SPARRING IN HAND-TO-HAND COMBAT DRILLS*
"No Kings" protests against Trump and his faction are scheduled to rock thousands of cities across the U.S. this Saturday, during the Army's 250th anniversary military parade in the capital and Flag Day. The protests coincide with the president's 79th birthday.
In scenes reminiscent of days past, protesters clashed with LAPD personnel in riot gear in downtown L.A. earlier this week.
Though the Marines, under NORTHCOM's command, are tasked with protecting federal property and law enforcement, the expense of this military mission has sparked debate.
Officials estimate that shipping the Marines and National Guard to California will set taxpayers back approximately $134 million. Funds that could otherwise be allocated to the operations and maintenance budget.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke at a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, stating that troops were essential to ensuring the city and its inhabitants' safety.
Hegseth asserted, "[It's] not about lethality. It's about maintaining order on behalf of law enforcement agents who deserve to work without mob-attacks." He added, "We're really proud that the National Guard and the Marines are patrolling L.A.'s streets, defending ICE agents, and they'll carry on doing so."
California's governor, Gavin Newsom, has questioned the legality of the troop deployment. However, Hegseth confidently assured Senate Democrats that there is "plenty of precedent" for the U.S. supporting law enforcement officers.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
our website Digital's Michael Dorgan and Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.
Alexandra Koch, a breaking news writer for our website Digital, was on hand to cover the current events in the Southeast, including military matters, before joining our team.
- Amid the ongoing debates and protests, the Marines are preparing to join the National Guard in Los Angeles' streets, as per reports, with a focus on nonlethal tactics and maintaining order.
- The general news coverage also highlights the political landscape, as President Trump dispatched around 700 Marines for joint protection initiatives, following controversy surrounding immigration raids in 2025.
- Meanwhile, sports enthusiasts might find the potential impact on crime-and-justice matters more interesting, as the deployment of over 2,000 troops has raised questions about the allocation of funds and the legality of the troop deployment, sparking debate among officials and citizens alike.
