True Blue in the Golden State: Over 700 Marines Sent to LA Amid Protests
U.S. military deploys approximately 700 troops to Los Angeles for a demonstration event
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In the midst of upheaval stemming from President Trump's immigration policies, the U.S. Military has decided to send around 700 Marines packing for Los Angeles. The word came from the appropriate regional army brass.
John Q. Public might be wondering, what's the deal? This deployment, hailing from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, is part of a response by U.S. Northern Command, more specifically, Task Force 51[1]. But why Los Angeles? According to the military and Northern Command, their mission is to safeguard federal personnel and protect federal property. Plus, they'll keep their eyes peeled to maintain a steady watch over the area's security[1].
Now, we’ve all heard some murmurs suggesting these troops could be tied to protests against President Trump’s controversial immigration policies[2]. However, official military and defense mouthpieces don't link the deployments to any specific protest or demonstration. Instead, they focus on a broader homeland defense and security mission. These troops are receiving training in de-escalation tactics and crowd control[1].
To put it plainly, the military brass is talking homeland security, not the crackdown on a particular protest group or topic. However, going by various media reports, including a few online buzzkillers, the beefed-up military presence in LA can't help but reflect the ongoing political turbulence, with its epicenter being the immigration policy debates[2].
I'm not going to speculate on the political implications, but it's worth noting that the deployment of Marines in Los Angeles, while officially attributed to safeguarding federal personnel and protecting property, is being linked by some media sources to the ongoing protests against President Trump's immigration policies. Despite official denials, these troops are reportedly receiving training in de-escalation tactics and crowd control, which some might find concerning in light of the general news surrounding political unrest. However, it's important to remember that sports, such as the local LA teams providing a welcome distraction for many, remain separate from these events.
