U.S. Marines Deployed in Los Angeles Amid Immigration Protests: Latest Developments
Los Angeles, a city already tense from days of protests over immigration enforcement, is now witnessing an extraordinary escalation with the deployment of approximately 700 U.S. Marines to support National Guard troops. This move, ordered by President Donald Trump, marks a rare and controversial use of active-duty military personnel on American soil. As the situation unfolds, the deployment has sparked heated debate, legal challenges, and concerns about the militarization of domestic issues. Here’s a detailed look at the latest developments in this unfolding crisis.
Background: Protests Erupt Over ICE Raids
The unrest in Los Angeles began on June 6, 2025, following aggressive raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) targeting suspected undocumented immigrants. These raids, part of President Trump’s pledge to execute mass deportations, ignited widespread protests across the city, particularly in areas like downtown Los Angeles, Paramount, and Compton. Demonstrators clashed with law enforcement, blocking major roadways like the 101 Freeway, setting self-driving Waymo vehicles on fire, and engaging in confrontations that led to dozens of arrests. The protests, now in their fourth day as of June 10, 2025, have drawn thousands, with some turning violent, prompting a heavy response from local and federal authorities.
Marine Deployment: A Significant Escalation
On Monday, June 9, 2025, the Pentagon confirmed that approximately 700 Marines from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, based at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, California, were mobilized to Los Angeles. The Marines are tasked with supporting the roughly 2,100 California National Guard troops already deployed to protect federal personnel and property, including immigration agents and federal buildings like the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building and the Metropolitan Detention Center. Reports indicate the Marines are being staged at Camp Pendleton, about 90 miles south of Los Angeles, before moving into the city.
This deployment is temporary, intended to bolster forces until an additional 2,000 National Guard troops arrive, bringing the total Guard presence to over 4,100. However, the use of active-duty Marines, described as the “best of the best” by critics, has raised alarms. The last comparable mobilization of Marines within the U.S. occurred during the 1992 Los Angeles riots, a stark historical parallel that underscores the gravity of the current situation.
Roles and Limitations of the Marines
The Marines’ mission is to protect federal property and personnel, including crowd control and establishing security perimeters. Under the Posse Comitatus Act, they are prohibited from performing law enforcement duties, such as making arrests, unless President Trump invokes the Insurrection Act—a step he has not yet taken, though officials describe the situation as “fluid.” The Pentagon is still finalizing use-of-force guidelines, expected to align with standard military rules emphasizing de-escalation and self-defense. However, the lack of clarity about their specific tasks has fueled uncertainty and concern.
Political and Legal Backlash
The deployment has drawn sharp criticism from California state and local leaders. Governor Gavin Newsom called the move “unwarranted,” “unprecedented,” and “deranged,” accusing Trump of escalating tensions and violating state sovereignty by federalizing the California National Guard without his consent. Newsom, alongside California Attorney General Rob Bonta, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing that the Guard’s deployment violates the 10th Amendment. They are seeking a court order to halt the federalization and return control of the Guard to the state.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass echoed these sentiments, describing the city as a “test case” for federal overreach. She criticized the deployment as a deliberate attempt to sow chaos, noting that local law enforcement, including the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), has decades of experience managing large-scale protests. LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell emphasized the need for clear communication with federal forces to avoid confusion and escalation, highlighting logistical challenges posed by the sudden influx of military personnel.
President Trump, undeterred, has doubled down, stating on social media that Los Angeles would have been “completely obliterated” without his intervention. He has also suggested arresting Newsom for obstructing immigration enforcement, a threat dismissed by his border czar, Tom Homan, as unnecessary “at this time.” The rhetoric has intensified the feud between Trump and California’s leadership, with Newsom urging protesters to remain peaceful and not “fall into the trap” of extremists.
On-the-Ground Developments
As of June 10, 2025, protests continue across Los Angeles, though Monday’s demonstrations were less volatile than the weekend’s, which saw flash-bangs, rubber bullets, and tear gas deployed by police. The LAPD declared downtown Los Angeles an “unlawful assembly area” on Sunday night, with at least ten protesters arrested. The FBI has identified a suspect, 40-year-old Elpidio Reyna from Compton, wanted for assaulting a federal officer during a protest in Paramount, offering a $50,000 reward for information.
The protests have also spread beyond Los Angeles, with demonstrations in cities like New York, San Francisco, Austin, and Santa Ana, reflecting nationwide opposition to Trump’s immigration policies. In Los Angeles, the burning of Waymo vehicles, powered by lithium-ion batteries, has raised safety concerns due to toxic gas emissions. The LAPD and California Highway Patrol have bolstered their presence, with officers from surrounding counties assisting in crowd control.
Broader Implications
The deployment of Marines to Los Angeles raises profound questions about the use of military force in domestic contexts. Critics, including Newsom and Bass, argue it represents a dangerous step toward authoritarianism, especially given Trump’s threats to intensify ICE raids. Supporters, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, defend the move as a necessary show of “peace through strength,” arguing it deters further unrest. The legal battle over the National Guard’s federalization could set a precedent for state-federal relations, while the presence of Marines on American streets evokes comparisons to historical moments of civil unrest.
As Los Angeles navigates this turbulent period, the interplay of federal power, local governance, and public dissent remains volatile. The situation continues to evolve, with the potential for further escalation depending on Trump’s next moves and the response from protesters and state authorities. For now, the city holds its breath as military and civilian forces coexist uneasily in the face of a deeply divisive issue.
Sources
CNN: “About 700 Marines being mobilized in response to LA protests”
The Guardian: “Pentagon deploys 700 US marines to Los Angeles amid immigration protests”
Task & Purpose: “What Marines deploying to LA amid protests legally can, and cannot, do”
Reuters: “Pentagon to deploy 700 Marines to Los Angeles, official says”
Fox News: “US Marines to deploy to Los Angeles to help quell anti-ICE riots”
ABC7 Los Angeles: “LA protest live stream: 700 Marines deployed to Los Angeles amid ICE protests”
NBC News: “L.A. unrest live updates: 700 Marines will deploy as immigration protests continue”
Newsweek: “House Speaker Says Deploying Marines in Los Angeles Not ‘Heavy-Handed’”
NPR: “Trump sends Marines and more National Guard to Los Angeles”
BBC News: “Trump sends another 2,000 National Guards and 700 Marines to LA on fourth day of unrest”
CBS News: “Trump administration activates 700 Marines in Los Angeles area amid ICE protests”
KCRA: “President Trump deploys active duty Marines to California, Gov. Newsom says”
AP News: “Live updates: Trump authorizes the deployment of additional 2,000 National Guard members”