Protests continue following days of clashes with police after a series of immigration raids last Friday (Credit: AFP)
Trump deploys 700 Marines to Los Angeles amid immigration protests
The Trump administration announced Monday that it is sending 700 US Marines and thousands of National Guard troops to Los Angeles, escalating federal involvement in the city amid ongoing protests against immigration raids. The move prompted an immediate and angry response from California Governor Gavin Newsom, who denounced the decision as reckless and authoritarian.
According to a senior administration official, the Marines will come from Camp Pendleton and are tasked with supporting federal law enforcement operations.
“Active-duty US Marines from Camp Pendleton will be deployed to Los Angeles to help protect federal agents and buildings,” the official told Agence France-Presse, later updating the initial figure of 500 Marines to 700.
Deploying active-duty military personnel within US cities remains a rare and controversial action. The US military confirmed the Marines’ mobilization, saying they would “seamlessly integrate” with National Guard forces that had already been deployed.
President Trump had previously ordered 2,000 National Guard troops to the city over the weekend, with around 300 stationed at federal sites by Sunday. On Monday, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell announced that “an additional 2,000 California National Guard [are] to be called into federal service to support ICE & to enable federal law-enforcement officers to safely conduct their duties.”
It remains unclear whether this new deployment is in addition to the previous 2,000 or if it includes the 300 already on the ground.
Governor Newsom sharply criticized the federal intervention, calling it a political stunt aimed at creating disorder. “Trump is trying to provoke chaos by sending 4,000 soldiers onto American soil,” he wrote on X. He had earlier blasted the deployment as a “deranged” move by a “dictatorial” president.
LA: Your voice matters.
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) June 10, 2025
Trump is trying to provoke chaos by sending 4,000 soldiers onto American soil.
Foolish agitators who take advantage of Trump’s chaos will be held accountable.
Stay safe. Stay calm. Look out for one another.
The decision to involve US Marines comes after four consecutive days of protests in Los Angeles, some of which have resulted in tense encounters with law enforcement. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth first mentioned the possibility of deploying Marines on Saturday, a plan that now appears to be in full motion.
