LOS ANGELES/WASHINGTON – On Monday, the Trump administration ordered U.S. Marines to be deployed in Los Angeles and stepped up immigration raids, sparking increased backlash from protesters and Democratic officials warning of a deepening national crisis.
Roughly 700 Marines stationed in Southern California were expected to arrive in Los Angeles by late Monday or early Tuesday. Their role is to temporarily support federal law enforcement in managing protests against the immigration crackdown—a key initiative of President Trump’s second term—until 4,000 National Guard troops can be mobilized.
Though the Marines are tasked with safeguarding federal personnel and property, their use in this civilian law enforcement context is highly unusual and controversial. Local and state officials, who did not request military assistance, have voiced strong objections.
Meanwhile, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem vowed to intensify operations to detain undocumented immigrants. The aggressive actions have fueled protests across the country. Trump officials have dismissed the demonstrators as unruly and blamed Democratic leaders for fostering instability through sanctuary policies.
The political fallout has been severe. Trump has even threatened California Governor Gavin Newsom with arrest for opposing federal immigration enforcement. In response, California filed a lawsuit to block the troop deployment, claiming it violates both federal statutes and state rights.
Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, condemned the deployment, saying the president was using the military for political purposes and undermining civil authority. He warned that the move risks escalating the situation into a national emergency.
The Marine deployment was announced during the fourth consecutive day of protests. That evening, police dispersed demonstrators gathered outside a federal immigration facility in downtown L.A. National Guard troops formed a barrier, and police used tear gas and less-lethal munitions to clear the area—tactics that had also been used over the weekend.
A Rare Domestic Military Move
While U.S. troops have previously been deployed within the country for disasters like Hurricane Katrina or 9/11, using them in response to civil unrest is rare. Although Trump did not formally invoke the Insurrection Act, he may still legally deploy troops under certain executive powers.
The last significant military intervention under the Insurrection Act occurred in 1992, when then-Governor Pete Wilson requested federal help to quell riots following the Rodney King verdict.
Governor Newsom has called Trump’s actions a serious overreach and a step toward authoritarian rule. Trump, in turn, expressed support for detaining Newsom, echoing a call from his immigration advisor Tom Homan.
Nationwide Protests and Escalating Tensions
Protests have led to dozens of arrests and some property damage. “This impacts every American who values freedom,” said Marzita Cerrato, a first-generation immigrant.
Demonstrations also erupted in at least nine other cities, including New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Austin. In Texas, police used nonlethal rounds and detained several protesters.
In Los Angeles, demonstrators gathered outside a detention center, chanting slogans, waving Mexican and Central American flags, and confronting federal officers. Later in the evening, police used flashbangs and tear gas to disperse crowds in the Little Tokyo district as tensions mounted.
The Department of Homeland Security reported that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has recently averaged 2,000 arrests per day—far surpassing the previous year’s daily average of 311 under President Biden.
“We’re only getting started,” Noem said on Fox News’ “Hannity,” vowing to escalate efforts. “If they continue to attack law enforcement, ICE will respond even more forcefully.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass condemned the federal clampdown, saying, “This is a city of immigrants.” Noem countered, “They’re not a city of immigrants—they’re a city of criminals.”
