In a controversial move sparking legal debate, US President Donald Trump has deployed 700 Marines to Los Angeles to control protests against immigration raids.
The Marines, deployed from Camp Pendleton, are part of Task Force 51—an expanded federal force that now includes 2,100 National Guard soldiers and 700 Marines. According to the US Department of Defense, their mission is to support federal personnel and secure federal property in the greater LA area. All units are trained in crowd control, de-escalation, and the use of force.
Doubling down on his decision to federalise law enforcement support in Los Angeles, Trump pointed to what he called local mismanagement. “We have an obligation to defend federal law enforcement officers—even if Gavin Newsom will not,” said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on X.
‘Deranged Fantasy’: California Governor Hits Back
However, the controversial military presence has reignited legal and constitutional concerns. California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the deployment as a “deranged fantasy” accusing the Trump administration of weaponising the military to stoke unrest. “Marines are heroes,” he wrote. “They shouldn’t be deployed on American soil facing their own countrymen to fulfill the fantasies of a dictatorial president. This is un-American.”
What US Law States
Critics have raised concerns over whether the deployment violates the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, which prohibits the US military from engaging in domestic law enforcement without express legal authorisation.
Abramsky noted that “the last time Marines were deployed on the streets of LA was in 1992, in response to the Rodney King riots”. By contrast, Abramsky pointed out, “today the Marines are being activated against the wishes of the mayor of Los Angeles and the governor of California… in a situation in which local law enforcement had a clear handle on the situation”.
California Files Lawsuit Against Trump Administration
The State of California has now filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging the legality of the National Guard deployment. Filed in San Francisco, the suit names Trump, Hegseth, and the Department of Defense as defendants.
In response, the White House lashed out. Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly called the lawsuit “pathetic”, claiming Governor Newsom was playing politics. “Newsom should thank the President for restoring law and order,” she said.
LAPD Expresses Concerns Over Military Deployment
Meanwhile, Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell expressed operational concerns, noting that the LAPD was not notified in advance. “Our top priority is the safety of both the public and the officers on the ground,” he said, urging better communication between agencies.
Protesters have clashed with police near the Federal Building and on the 101 Freeway overpass. After projectiles were thrown at law enforcement vehicles, the area was declared an unlawful assembly and cleared using barriers and a heavy police presence.
While National Guard troops are already stationed around federal buildings, the Marines are expected to begin rotating patrols in LA within the week—raising urgent questions about legality, accountability, and the limits of presidential power on American streets.
(With inputs from agencies)
