Marines Headed to L.A.—Military Moves In as Immigration Protests Explode

It’s getting tense in Los Angeles as the U.S. military prepares to deploy about 700 Marines to the city, with more National Guard troops expected to follow. This move comes amid growing protests sparked by Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement actions, which have led to massive unrest in Southern California.

According to a U.S. official who spoke to Reuters, the Marines will be temporarily stationed in L.A. to assist with crowd control and support operations as protests continue to swell. While the Insurrection Act hasn’t been invoked—yet—this marks one of the largest military mobilizations in the city since the George Floyd protests.

Over the weekend, roughly 300 members of the California National Guard were already deployed. Governor Gavin Newsom called the use of military force to control peaceful demonstrations “unlawful,” but the federal government appears to be pressing forward.
Officials expect National Guard numbers to increase to 2,000 by midweek. Until then, the Marines will step in to fill the gap. It’s still unclear exactly what their role will be, as the U.S. military is legally restricted from performing law enforcement duties without a specific order under the Insurrection Act.

This deployment highlights just how serious the unrest has become. Protests have erupted for three consecutive days in response to Trump’s aggressive immigration policies, including high-profile ICE raids and family detentions. With military boots hitting city streets, some worry this is less about public safety and more about intimidation.

The situation remains fluid, and federal officials say plans could change quickly. For now, L.A. looks like it’s bracing for a showdown—one that has national implications and the whole world watching.