United States President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of 700 Marines in Los Angeles to quell protests that have erupted against the arrests of 44 people for violating immigration laws. The move has sparked criticism from Trump’s political opponents, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
The LAPD has expressed concerns that the deployment of Marines will make its job harder, citing potential logistical and operational challenges. “The possible arrival of federal military forces in Los Angeles absent clear coordination presents a significant logistical and operational challenge for those of us charged with safeguarding this city,” Police Chief Jim McDonnell said in a statement. McDonnell emphasized the LAPD’s decades of experience in managing large-scale public demonstrations and urged open and continuous communication between law enforcement agencies to avoid confusion and escalation.
The deployment of Marines has raised questions about its necessity, with reports suggesting that National Guard troops are barely being used in the city. Al Jazeera’s Rob Reynolds reported that Monday’s protests were peaceful, with National Guard troops standing by without engaging with protesters. Newsom has also questioned the deployment, stating that the Secretary of Defense is “illegally deploying [the Marines] onto American streets.” Newsom has filed a lawsuit against Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to end the “illegal takeover” of the National Guard.
Experts argue that the deployment could violate the First Amendment rights of peaceful protesters and escalate tensions on the ground. “If the administration escalates to active duty troops, especially without coordination with state leaders, it would amount to a militarization of civilian protest, not a restoration of order,” attorney Robert Patillo said. The Trump administration has justified the deployments by citing threats to federal law enforcement officers and federal property.
The situation remains tense, with protests continuing in Los Angeles and other US cities. The LAPD has arrested 50 protesters over the weekend, and local news outlets have reported protests in at least nine other cities, including New York, Philadelphia, and San Francisco.