The Pentagon has deployed approximately 700 U.S. Marines from the Marine Corps Base in Twentynine Palms, California, to assist in managing ongoing protests sparked by aggressive federal immigration raids.

The deployment, authorized on Monday, June 9, 2025, follows President Donald Trump’s directive to send an additional 2,000 National Guard troops to the city, bringing the total federal and National Guard presence to over 4,100 personnel, according to U.S. Northern Command. The Marines are tasked with protecting federal property and personnel, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, amid four days of demonstrations that have at times turned violent.

The protests erupted on Friday, June 6, 2025, after ICE conducted coordinated raids at three locations across Los Angeles, including a clothing wholesaler in the Fashion District and a Home Depot in Paramount, a majority-Latino area. Federal officials reported over 100 arrests, targeting individuals suspected of immigration violations and related offenses, though advocates claim the number may be higher and that the operations lacked judicial warrants. The raids, described by critics as “military-style,” have drawn sharp condemnation from local leaders and immigrant rights groups, who argue they sow fear and disrupt communities.

Demonstrations intensified over the weekend, with clashes reported in downtown Los Angeles near the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building and the Metropolitan Detention Center. Protesters, some waving Mexican and Central American flags, blocked streets, chanted slogans like “ICE out of LA,” and confronted law enforcement, who responded with tear gas, pepper spray, and less-lethal munitions, including rubber bullets. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) declared multiple unlawful assemblies, arresting at least 56 individuals by Monday evening for offenses ranging from throwing objects at officers to obstructing freeways. In one notable incident, a Waymo autonomous vehicle was set ablaze, prompting the company to suspend services in downtown Los Angeles due to safety concerns.

As of Tuesday, protests have entered their fifth day, with smaller but persistent demonstrations reported in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo and Boyle Heights neighborhoods. The LAPD and California Highway Patrol (CHP) continue to maintain a heavy presence, with additional support from sheriff’s departments in neighboring counties. On Monday night, a military convoy was observed moving from Twentynine Palms toward Los Angeles, signaling the imminent arrival of the Marines.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has escalated his response, filing a federal lawsuit on Monday against the Trump administration, arguing that the deployment of National Guard troops and Marines violates state sovereignty and federal law. The lawsuit contends that President Trump overstepped his authority by federalizing the California National Guard without Newsom’s consent, a move described as “dictatorial” and “deranged” by the governor. Newsom further criticized the administration for leaving many of the initial 2,000 Guard troops without clear orders, with only about 300 actively deployed. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass echoed these sentiments, calling the city a “test case” for federal overreach and urging de-escalation to prevent further chaos.

The Trump administration, however, remains defiant. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the Marines are necessary to “defend federal agents” and ensure the safety of federal facilities, while President Trump labeled protesters “insurrectionists” and threatened further military action if unrest spreads to other cities. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem vowed to intensify immigration raids, citing the need to combat “lawlessness” in sanctuary cities like Los Angeles. A leaked letter from Noem to Hegseth, published by the San Francisco Chronicle, revealed requests for drone surveillance and expanded military authority to detain protesters, raising alarms among civil liberties advocates.

International attention has also grown, with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemning the use of force against an Australian journalist, Lauren Tomasi, who was struck by a crowd-control munition during a live broadcast on Sunday. Albanese called the incident “horrific,” prompting diplomatic discussions with the Trump administration.

Civil rights groups, including the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA), have demanded transparency regarding the detainees’ status and access to legal representation. Angelica Salas, CHIRLA’s director, reported that only three lawyers have been allowed into the detention center, leaving many families without information about their loved ones. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has criticized the raids as “oppressive” and lacking legal oversight, while the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) condemned the arrest of its California branch president, David Huerta, who was released on a $50,000 bond on Monday after being detained during the protests.

Nationally, protests have spread to cities like New York, Philadelphia, and Austin, with demonstrators expressing solidarity with Los Angeles and condemning the militarized response. In a notable cultural moment, rapper Doechii used her BET Awards acceptance speech on Sunday to denounce the deployments as a “threat to democracy,” while musician Finneas O’Connell reported being tear-gassed during a protest, accusing the National Guard of inciting violence.

As Los Angeles braces for the arrival of the Marines, local officials and advocates are calling for peaceful demonstrations to avoid playing into what they describe as the Trump administration’s strategy to provoke conflict. The LAPD, under Chief Jim McDonnell, has expressed concerns about the logistical challenges posed by the federal military presence, emphasizing that local law enforcement has decades of experience managing protests. Meanwhile, the legal battle between California and the federal government is expected to intensify, with potential implications for the balance of power between state and federal authorities.

The situation remains fluid, with residents urged to stay informed and avoid protest hotspots. The deployment of active-duty Marines, a rare occurrence in domestic settings, has sparked a broader debate about the use of military force in civilian contexts, the boundaries of presidential authority, and the future of immigration policy in the United States. (ILKHA)