The Pentagon has confirmed the deployment of 700 active-duty US Marines to Los Angeles, California, to support federal authorities amid ongoing protests against immigration raids and deportations. The Marines, from the Twentynine Palms base in southern California, will work alongside approximately 2,100 National Guard troops already mobilised by the Trump administration.
The move has been condemned by California Governor Gavin Newsom, whose office described it as “completely unwarranted, uncalled for, and unprecedented”. Newsom accused President Donald Trump of escalating tensions by deploying active-duty troops against American citizens. The Los Angeles Police Department chief, Jim McDonnell, said the department had not received formal notification of the deployment, warning of logistical challenges.
A US official, speaking anonymously, said there was no immediate expectation that Trump would invoke the Insurrection Act, but described the situation as “fluid”. The Marines are expected to take on a support role, protecting federal property and personnel, including immigration agents.
The deployment follows four days of largely peaceful protests in Los Angeles against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. Trump has defended his actions, stating that federal forces were needed to maintain law and order. California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the state would file a lawsuit against the administration for what he called the unlawful federalisation of the National Guard.
