In a tense climate marked by widespread protests over federal immigration operations, around 200 Marines advanced into Los Angeles on Friday. This deployment aims to secure a federal building in the city amidst preparations for anticipated nationwide demonstrations against the policies of President Donald Trump over the weekend.
The Marines, equipped with combat gear and rifles, took over positions previously held by National Guard troops, who had intervened following last week’s contentious protests. The initial protests intensified nationwide, occasionally resulting in altercations with law enforcement and numerous arrests.
Friday’s transition saw Marines replacing the Guard members stationed at the west of downtown federal building. This shift was to enable the National Guard soldiers to be redirected towards supporting law enforcement operations, particularly during immigration raids, as indicated by the commander overseeing the deployment of 4,700 troops to manage the Los Angeles protest scenarios.
The presence of the Marines coincided with the upcoming “No Kings” demonstrations planned across the country to criticize Trump’s policies, slated for the same day as a military parade in Washington, D.C. Additionally, their deployment followed a temporary ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that halted a federal judge’s order mandating President Trump to return control of the National Guard to California. The judge had previously declared the Guard’s deployment as unconstitutional, infringing on state sovereignty rights and exceeding Trump’s lawful authority, although this did not address the Marines’ involvement.
The week’s protests saw roughly 2,000 National Guard troops being mobilized to Los Angeles. These troops primarily provided protection to immigration enforcement agents conducting arrests. Earlier this week, an additional 2,000 Guard members were on alert for potential deployment.
Maj. Gen. Scott Sherman, leading Task Force 51 which supervises the collective troop deployment, stated that the military units are not responsible for detentions, although an incident involving a Marine briefly detaining a pedestrian who failed to heed commands did occur. The individual was eventually released without charges.
About 500 National Guard troops underwent expanded legal training to assist with immigration raids. Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell noted there was no direct coordination with the Marines but did describe discussions with military leaders to establish communication channels.
Federal law prohibits active-duty military from engaging in law enforcement activities. Nonetheless, by Friday afternoon, Marines were seen at the Wilshire Federal Building examining public entry tickets as people went about renewing passports. This location saw a recent controversy involving U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, who was removed and handcuffed during a news conference after speaking out against immigration raids.
While there were no active protests at the federal building, reactions from passing drivers varied, reflecting support or disapproval of the military’s presence. California’s Governor, Gavin Newsom, criticized the deployment as an infringement on state independence, calling it a power maneuver by Trump. He has since pursued legal avenues to contest it. Meanwhile, President Trump highlighted a legal provision to justify his actions, citing potential rebellion threats.
On Thursday, a federal judge ruled that the situation in Los Angeles did not meet the criteria of a rebellion and ordered the return of Guard control to the state. Trump’s subsequent post on his social platform thanked an appeals court for pausing the order’s implementation. A hearing is scheduled for Tuesday to further address the issue.
Despite different narratives, the Trump administration described the city as a “war zone,” an assertion local officials contest. Recent protest gatherings, numbering in a few hundreds, unfolded with vocal demonstrations and mockery towards the administration’s depiction of events.
Police report approximately 500 individuals were detained since Saturday for failing to disperse, alongside more serious offenses such as assault and unlawful possession of weapons. Nine officers sustained minor injuries amidst these events. A nightly curfew was enforced over downtown Los Angeles’ 1-square-mile area, with no specific end date announced.
While regular movement continues in front of the federal building, those working or residing within the curfew zone remain exempt from these restrictions. As the country braces for the “No Kings” protests, organized events are anticipated in nearly 2,000 locations nationwide. Emphasizing peaceful participation, the focal event is set in Philadelphia, allowing for no demonstrations in D.C.’s military parade.
In response to these events, several states, including Texas, prepared by placing National Guard members on standby. Democratic governors collectively denounced such federal interventions as an abuse of authority. Meanwhile, the planned military parade in Washington, coinciding with Trump’s birthday and Flag Day, promises extensive public festivities and showcases, with costs projected between $25 and $45 million.
In parallel, California Democratic state Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas expressed her dissent during a legislative session by inverting an American flag on her desk, symbolizing distress over the federal immigration crackdown in her city.