500 Marines Deploy to Los Angeles to Support National Guard Amid ICE Protests

In response to escalating anti-ICE protests and riots in Los Angeles, President Donald Trump has mobilized approximately 500 to 700 Marines from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines at Twentynine Palms to support the Army National Guard in protecting federal buildings and personnel. The deployment represents a significant escalation and is intended to supplement the roughly 2,000 National Guardsmen already on the ground, though the Marines are prohibited from engaging in law enforcement activities unless the Insurrection Act is invoked. California Governor Gavin Newsom has criticized the deployment, calling it an illegal usurpation of state authority and has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the decision, warning that protesters who disrespect troops would face stronger force, while Trump expressed optimism that the situation is now improving. The exact rules of engagement for the Marines remain unclear, and the military has kept the troops on high alert amid the ongoing unrest. The deployment has drawn sharp political divisions over the use of federal military forces in the city amid protests tied to immigration enforcement.