Trump Sends Marines to L.A. Amid Immigration Raid & Protests

The Trump administration has deployed 700 U.S. Marines to Los Angeles in a move to tighten control over growing protests against federal immigration raids. The troops arrived from Southern California bases and are temporarily assisting local law enforcement until 4,000 National Guard troops are fully deployed in the area.

This rare domestic use of military force is part of President Donald Trump's aggressive stance on immigration enforcement during his second term. The administration says the Marines are there to protect federal buildings and staff, but the action has triggered strong opposition from California officials and Democratic leaders, who argue that the deployment was never requested and violates state rights.

Raids ramp up, protests spread

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said federal agents will continue to increase operations targeting undocumented immigrants. ICE reported arresting up to 2,000 individuals a day — a sharp rise from the previous administration’s daily average of about 300.

The crackdown has fueled widespread demonstrations in Los Angeles and beyond. Protesters gathered for the fourth straight day outside a federal detention center in downtown L.A., with police using tear gas and flash bangs to disperse the crowds. Arrests were made as officers pushed back demonstrators using non-lethal weapons.

Protests have also broken out in at least nine other cities, including New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Austin, where police clashed with demonstrators and made additional arrests.

California pushes back, legal challenge underway

California Governor Gavin Newsom and other state officials condemned the federal deployment. The state has filed a lawsuit, claiming the Trump administration overstepped its authority and violated federal law.

Newsom called the move an “authoritarian overreach” and emphasized that calling in the National Guard is a decision for the governor, not the president. In response, Trump expressed support for arresting Newsom, accusing him of obstructing immigration enforcement.

Senator Jack Reed, a leading Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, criticized the decision, saying, “The military shouldn’t be used for law enforcement. This could easily escalate into a national crisis.”

Rising tensions, rising arrests

The use of Marines in civil disturbances is highly unusual and echoes past military deployments, such as during the 1992 L.A. riots. However, this time, the deployment wasn’t requested by state officials — sparking fears of political abuse of power.

On the streets, the mood is tense. In Los Angeles, chants of “free them all” echoed through neighborhoods as protesters waved Mexican and Central American flags and challenged federal officers. In some areas, chaos broke out as police cleared crowds with tear gas and flash bangs, forcing residents and tourists to shelter indoors.

As of now, dozens have been arrested and more protests are expected in the coming days, with both sides — federal authorities and local officials — digging in.

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