In response to ongoing protests in Los Angeles over President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement policies, the U.S. military is set to deploy approximately 700 Marines temporarily to the city, according to a U.S. official who spoke with Reuters on Monday. This comes as California National Guard troops are also being sent to assist in managing the protests.
The Deployment of National Guard and Marines
On Sunday, around 300 California National Guard troops were deployed to Los Angeles to support local law enforcement in controlling the protests.
Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, has strongly criticized the decision, calling the deployment “unlawful.” Despite Newsom’s objections, the federal government has decided to send additional military personnel to assist in maintaining order.
The U.S. official revealed that a battalion of Marines will be sent to Los Angeles to help manage the situation while more National Guard troops arrive. The official clarified that the Insurrection Act, which would allow the military to take a more direct role in law enforcement within the U.S., is not expected to be invoked at this time.
As the situation develops, the number of National Guard troops in Los Angeles is expected to increase to 2,000 by Wednesday.
Uncertainty and Role of the Marines
The exact role of the Marines in the ongoing situation remains unclear, as the U.S. military is not allowed to perform law enforcement duties on U.S. soil without invoking the Insurrection Act.
However, the Pentagon is often called upon to assist during national crises, such as disaster relief, border operations, and health emergencies. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the military was involved in setting up temporary hospitals to support overwhelmed healthcare systems.
The deployment of Marines and the expected increase in National Guard troops highlight the escalating nature of the protests, which have continued for several days. The protests are mainly focused on Trump’s immigration enforcement policies, which many demonstrators see as harsh and damaging to immigrant communities.
The Legal and Political Implications
The decision to deploy military personnel, particularly without invoking the Insurrection Act, has sparked legal and political debates. While the U.S. military has been involved in domestic issues before, such as during natural disasters or the pandemic, using troops to manage protests is a sensitive issue.
California Governor Newsom has repeatedly expressed opposition, arguing that federal intervention exacerbates tensions and undermines local control over law enforcement matters.
As the situation unfolds, the actions of the federal government, the National Guard, and the Marines will be closely watched, both for their impact on the protests and for their legal and political ramifications.