Senate Democrats Question Legality of Marines, National Guard Deployments in Los Angeles Protests

The Trump administration's deployment of active-duty Marines and National Guard troops to Los Angeles amid protests has sparked intense controversy and debate over its legality and appropriateness. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the decision before the Senate Appropriations Committee, insisting the deployment was lawful and constitutional under the president's authority to protect federal law enforcement officers, despite being unable to cite a specific statute. Senate Democrats, including Sen. Patty Murray and Sen. Tammy Baldwin, condemned the move as unprecedented, unconstitutional, and an inappropriate use of the military against American citizens, arguing it undermines military readiness and escalates tensions. The Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman, Gen. Dan Caine, acknowledged frustrations but rejected claims of a foreign invasion, casting doubt on the administration’s justification for invoking the Insurrection Act. California Governor Gavin Newsom unsuccessfully sought legal recourse to block the deployment, highlighting state-federal conflicts over the response. The dispute reflects broader political tensions over immigration enforcement and civil unrest under President Trump's administration.