LA Protests: President Trump has sent active-duty Marines to Los Angeles amid rising protests over federal immigration raids, igniting sharp criticism from California’s leadership and intensifying tensions between federal and state authorities.
LA Protests
In a dramatic escalation of tensions between federal and state authorities, U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of active-duty Marines into Los Angeles to suppress mounting protests sparked by government-led immigration raids and deportation efforts. According to the U.S. Northern Command, a battalion of 700 Marine Corps personnel has been activated to work alongside the more than 2,000 National Guard troops already stationed in the city. On top of that, another 2,000 National Guard members are set to be dispatched, prompting an outraged reaction from California Governor Gavin Newsome.
In 1992, George Bush sent 1400 Marines & 2500 Army troops to the streets of Los Angeles to restore law & order as protests turned into riots. In 2025, President Trump is sending 700 Marines & 2000 National Guard troops to LA to restore law & order as protests turned into riots.
This federal response unfolded as protests entered their fourth day in Los Angeles. Demonstrators massed outside a federal detention center while LAPD officers formed containment lines to separate protesters from federal agents. Despite the tension, there were also moments of levity—some protesters danced to live music from a truck. However, elsewhere in the city, the aftermath of earlier unrest was evident. Workers were seen clearing torched vehicles that had been set ablaze during Sunday’s protests, and store owners boarded up windows to protect against further damage.
Clean-up efforts began in earnest downtown, where graffiti defaced street signs and building facades. The previous day’s protests had turned violent, with demonstrators taking over downtown streets, setting cars on fire, looting shops, and causing extensive property damage. Police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets. Self-driving cars weren’t spared either—five Waymo vehicles were torched during the chaos.
Despite the President’s announcement, the Los Angeles Police Department said it had not been officially notified of any Marine battalion entering the city. LAPD Chief Jim McDonald noted that the arrival of 700 Marines would present serious logistical and operational challenges. Governor Newsome, voicing fierce opposition, called the move “deranged and un-American.” In a strongly worded social media post, he stated that U.S. Marines had long served honorably in defense of democracy abroad and should not be deployed against their fellow citizens on American soil. He described the President’s actions as fulfilling a “deranged fantasy of a dictatorial president.”
When questioned earlier about the possibility of sending in Marines, Trump indicated he would escalate troop deployment if necessary. He remarked that the situation was improving under his administration’s control, suggesting it had been “heading in the wrong direction” before his intervention.
The controversy deepened as Trump voiced support for the arrest of state officials opposing federal immigration enforcement, including Governor Newsome and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Border enforcement official Tom Homan echoed the sentiment, threatening arrests of anyone obstructing immigration actions. However, when asked what crime Governor Newsome had committed, the President failed to give a clear answer. Instead, he accused Newsome of running the state poorly, drawing parallels with President Biden’s governance and saying, “That’s pretty bad.”
Trump further escalated his rhetoric by claiming that California was being overrun by hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants, many of whom he alleged were criminals. He claimed they were draining public resources—occupying hospital beds, school seats, and healthcare services. His statements have further polarized the national debate, drawing praise from his supporters and condemnation from civil rights advocates and local leaders.
As the situation develops, Los Angeles remains under heavy federal and military presence, while the nation grapples with questions over civil liberties, federal authority, and the line between maintaining order and suppressing dissent.
Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only. It is based on unfolding events and official statements. Readers are encouraged to verify updates through reliable news sources and government communications.