Los Angeles, one of America’s largest cities, is now under the watch of hundreds of U.S. Marines — a move that has triggered both outrage and concern. President Donald Trump has ordered this unprecedented military deployment in response to ongoing protests against aggressive federal immigration raids, sparking national debate over the legality and necessity of using active-duty troops on domestic soil.
Since Friday, the Trump administration has launched a sweeping immigration crackdown across California, prompting public protests in downtown Los Angeles and beyond. Despite the demonstrations being largely peaceful, Trump’s decision to activate 4,000 National Guard troops — along with sending 700 Marines — has been seen by many as a dramatic and unnecessary escalation.
According to military officials, the Marines are currently stationed at a holding site, awaiting deployment to protect federal buildings and personnel. They do not have the authority to make arrests. Meanwhile, about 2,100 National Guard troops are already spread throughout the greater LA area, with more on their way.
California Governor Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass have condemned the military presence, labeling it as an overreach. Newsom, in particular, has accused the President of inflaming tensions for political gain. He even filed a lawsuit on Monday, challenging Trump’s authority to activate Guard troops without state consent — something not seen in decades.
“This isn’t about public safety,” Newsom stated on social media. “It’s about stroking a dangerous President’s ego.”
The protests, which erupted after immigration raids began, were primarily concentrated in downtown LA. Demonstrators rallied outside a federal detention center, chanting “free them all” while waving Central American and Mexican flags. While most actions were peaceful, some protesters did block highways, set cars on fire, and clash with law enforcement. These isolated incidents were enough for Trump to brand the protests as a “violent occupation.”
He defended his decision by claiming that LA “would be burning to the ground” without military intervention — a statement that Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass have both rejected as inflammatory and false.
Over the weekend, LAPD arrested more than 40 individuals on charges ranging from vandalism to attempted murder. Businesses such as an Apple store and a CVS pharmacy were looted during the unrest. Police have used pepper balls, flash-bangs, and tear gas to disperse crowds.
Meanwhile, the estimated cost of this military operation has reached $134 million, covering the logistics of troop travel, accommodation, and supplies, according to Pentagon officials.
Protests have now spread to at least nine other U.S. cities, including New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Austin. In Texas, officers fired less-lethal munitions as clashes erupted between law enforcement and demonstrators.
Senator Jack Reed, top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, voiced his alarm, saying, “We do not want the military conducting law enforcement on U.S. soil.”
While Trump’s supporters see this as a strong move to maintain order, critics argue it sets a dangerous precedent for militarizing civil unrest.
As this story develops, one thing is clear — America is witnessing a critical moment in the balance between security and civil liberty.
