The U.S. Marines are set to deploy to Los Angeles to assist in managing anti-immigration riots, following President Donald Trump‘s decision to mobilize troops. Approximately 500 Marines from the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in California will join the National Guard troops already activated by President Trump over the weekend. The deployment comes without the consent of California Governor Gavin Newsom or the city’s mayor, intensifying tensions between the state and federal government.
The situation in Los Angeles has calmed after a volatile night marked by police using flash-bangs and tear gas to disperse crowds. Protesters reportedly set self-driving cars on fire. California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Governor Newsom have criticized President Trump’s actions, labeling the federalization of the state’s National Guard as “unlawful” and “counterproductive.”
Governor Newsom accused President Trump of creating a “manufactured crisis” to take control of the state’s militia. He expressed concerns that the president’s actions could lead to military deployments in any state, calling it a step toward authoritarianism.
As the Marines prepare to deploy, their specific tasks remain unclear. Like the National Guard, they are prohibited from conducting law enforcement activities unless the Insurrection Act is invoked. The deployment marks a significant escalation in the federal government’s response to the protests, which began in opposition to the administration’s immigration policies.
Recent Comments