LOS ANGELES — Between 500 and 700 U.S. Marines stationed at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms are being deployed to the Los Angeles area, CNN reported.
According to multiple sources cited by CNN, the Marines are being activated to support federal law enforcement agencies after protests against immigration enforcement operations turned violent on June 8 in downtown Los Angeles. The protests, which began on June 6, have led to widespread clashes with police, property damage and dozens of arrests.
Law enforcement officers reported several violent incidents during the unrest, including rocks, scooters and other objects thrown at officers. One video captured protesters on an overpass throwing debris at CHP officers stationed on the freeway below.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said deputies were injured, including one hospitalized with burns from a firework, and noted that a Molotov cocktail was also thrown. Officers responded with crowd control measures, including tear gas and rubber bullets, after the protests were declared an unlawful assembly. Luna said booking teams were deployed and warned that those engaging in violence or property destruction would face arrest.
The specific role the Marines will play remains unclear. Department of Defense lawyers are reportedly still finalizing the rules of engagement for military personnel who may encounter protesters on city streets, according to CNN.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom filed a lawsuit on June 9 against the Trump administration, seeking to restore state control over the California National Guard. Newsom had previously opposed the president’s unilateral decision to deploy National Guard troops to Los Angeles without his request or approval.
Trump responded to Newsom’s legal challenge by suggesting the governor should be arrested.
“I think his primary crime is running for governor, because he’s done such a bad job,” Trump said during remarks in Washington, D.C.
The mobilization of active-duty Marines on domestic soil is unusual. Pentagon officials have not commented publicly on how long the troops are expected to remain in the Los Angeles area.
