US Marines deployed to Downtown Los Angeles as immigration protests escalate

UPDATED: Jun 14, 2025 01:58 IST

In a rare domestic military deployment, 200 US Marines were stationed in downtown Los Angeles on Friday to protect federal infrastructure, following several nights of protests against immigration raids and a broader backlash to President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement policies.

Army Major General Scott Sherman confirmed the deployment, adding that the administration has authorized up to 700 active-duty Marines to be deployed if necessary. The move comes as tensions rise across California, with nationwide protests planned for Saturday in what could become the largest civil demonstration since Trump’s return to power.

“I would like to emphasize that the soldiers will not participate in law enforcement activities,” Sherman said during a press briefing. He clarified that neither Marines nor Guard troops had detained anyone and were strictly present for federal property protection.

The California Attorney General’s office slammed the move, calling it a federal “overreach of authority”, though a 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals decision on Thursday allowed the Trump administration’s mobilization to continue — for now.

Trump celebrated the ruling online, posting: “We saved LA. Thank you for the Decision!!!” on Truth Social.

The protests began last Friday after federal immigration raids arrested dozens of workers in Los Angeles. Protesters blocked a major freeway and set cars on fire over the weekend, and police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and flash-bang grenades.

Elsewhere, demonstrations have picked up across the US, emerging in more than a dozen major cities. Some have led to clashes with police and hundreds have been arrested.

The movement of Marines into LA also comes ahead of demonstrations expected over the weekend in cities across the United States, and the possibility that Trump could send troops to other states for immigration enforcement as governors weigh what to do.

There have been about 500 arrests since Saturday, the vast majority of which were for failing to leave the area at the request of law enforcement, according to the police department.

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