Marines deployed in Los Angeles: troops barred from law enforcement duties

Following a contentious legal battle, about 700 Marines have been deployed in Los Angeles to support federal operations amid immigration protests. Despite their presence, military leaders stress that troops will not perform law enforcement or detain civilians, highlighting the delicate balance between security and civil rights.

Sources:
NBC Los AngelesBbcThehindu+1
Updated 6h ago
Tab background
Sources: ThehinduBbc
U.S. Marines have been deployed in Los Angeles amid escalating protests over immigration raids, marking a rare domestic use of active-duty troops. About 700 Marines were authorized, with 200 currently protecting federal buildings. Army Major General Scott Sherman stressed, 'the soldiers will not participate in law enforcement activities.'

The deployment follows a contentious legal battle over control of California's National Guard. A federal judge ruled that President Trump’s takeover of the Guard was illegal, ordering its return to Governor Gavin Newsom, who has condemned the military presence as a 'serious breach of state sovereignty.' Newsom is actively seeking to block the deployment through the courts.

This military involvement recalls the 1992 use of troops during the Los Angeles riots, though active-duty forces rarely engage in domestic law enforcement. The Trump administration justified the deployment as necessary to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducting raids.

Public opinion remains divided; a Reuters/Ipsos poll found 48% support military deployment to restore order during violent protests, while 41% oppose it.

Maj. Gen. Sherman: 'None of the military troops will be detaining anyone.'

Judge Charles Breyer: 'His actions were illegal... He must therefore return control of the California National Guard to the Governor of the State of California forthwith.'

The situation highlights tensions between federal authority and state sovereignty amid ongoing immigration enforcement and civil unrest in Los Angeles.
Sources: ThehinduBbc
About 700 U.S. Marines were deployed in Los Angeles to protect federal buildings amid protests over immigration raids, but military officials emphasized troops are barred from law enforcement duties. California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the deployment as a breach of state sovereignty and is seeking legal action.
Section 1 background
The Headline

700 Marines deployed in LA, barred from law enforcement

I would like to emphasise that the soldiers will not participate in law enforcement activities.
Major General Scott Sherman
Commander of Task Force 51
Thehindu
Key Facts
  • About 700 Marines were authorized for deployment in Los Angeles, with 200 actively protecting a federal building in the city.2Thehindu
  • Marines began taking over posts from National Guard members amid ongoing protests against immigration raids and policies in Los Angeles.Thehindu
  • Military troops, including Marines, are barred from law enforcement duties and detaining anyone during their deployment in Los Angeles.Thehindu
Key Stats at a Glance
Number of Marines authorized for deployment in Los Angeles
700 troops
1
Number of Marines actively protecting a federal building in Los Angeles
200 troops
1

Related Videos

Marines guard federal building in LA
Marinesfederal buildingLos AngelesNational GuardMaj. Gen. Scott Sherman
Appeals court allows Trump to keep National Guard in LA
TrumpNational GuardLos Angelescourt rulingfederal judge
Trump can keep National Guard deployed to LA, appeals court rules| REUTERS
TrumpNational GuardLos Angelesimmigration enforcementUS appeals court
LA Protests LIVE | Protests In LA Continue Over Federal Enforcement Immigration Raids | LA News
LA ProtestsLos Angelesimmigration raidsfederal enforcementprotest news
‹
›
Section 2 background
Other Updates

Troop concerns and public opinion amid deployment

This person never envisioned what they were signing up to do as being a situation where they might point a gun at a fellow US citizen who they might think is just exercising free speech rights or something like that.
Steve Woolford
GI Rights Hotline Counselor
NBC Los Angeles
Key Facts
  • The GI Rights Hotline has seen a surge in calls, with 50 calls received on a single Sunday compared to the usual 200 calls per month, reflecting growing concern among troops.NBC Los Angeles
  • Some military personnel feel conflicted about their role, torn between duty to country and family amid immigration raids and protests.NBC Los Angeles
  • There is confusion and contemplation among troops over conflicting orders from the federal government and California Governor Gavin Newsom, who is seeking to block military deployment.NBC Los Angeles
Key Stats at a Glance
Average monthly calls to GI Rights Hotline
200 calls/month
NBC Los Angeles
Calls received on a single Sunday to GI Rights Hotline
50 calls
NBC Los Angeles
Section 3 background
Background Context

Legal battle over National Guard control in California

'He did not [follow the law]. His actions were illegal... He must therefore return control of the California National Guard to the Governor of the State of California forthwith.'
Judge Charles Breyer
Bbc
The troop deployment is a serious breach of state sovereignty and a power grab by Mr Trump.
California Governor Gavin Newsom
BbcThehindu
Key Facts
  • The Trump administration took control of California's National Guard to support ICE during immigration raids in Los Angeles.Bbc
  • California Governor Gavin Newsom opposed the federal takeover, calling it a breach of state sovereignty and sought court intervention to regain control.BbcThehindu
  • Judge Charles Breyer ruled that Trump's actions were illegal and ordered the return of National Guard control to California's governor.Bbc
  • An appeals court temporarily blocked the judge's order, allowing the Trump administration to keep National Guard troops in Los Angeles.Bbc2
Key Stats at a Glance
Appeals court action blocking judge's order
1 order
Bbc
Article not found
⌂ CuriousCats.ai

Article

‹

Source Citations