700 Marines deployed to L.A. as immigration protests continue
The Pentagon on Monday ordered a battalion of 700 Marines to Los Angeles as protests of the Trump administration's immigration policies spilled into a fourth day, escalating a confrontation between the White House and the country's most populous state.
The Marines, summoned from an infantry unit typically trained for overseas warfare, will assist more than 300 National Guard members President Donald Trump deployed to the city over the weekend, the first wave of roughly 2,100 activated so far for the mission, according to the Defense Department. The deployments follow demonstrations against immigration raids that at times turned violent.
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Politico
27 minutes ago
- Politico
Bondi says violent LA protesters will face federal charges
At least nine people are facing federal charges for their involvement in protests against immigration enforcement in Los Angeles, Attorney General Pam Bondi said Monday. Demonstrators face charges for attacking police with Molotov cocktails, looting and spitting on law enforcement, Bondi said in a TV interview. 'We are going to prosecute them federally,' she said in an interview on Fox News. 'If California won't protect their law enforcement, we will protect the LAPD and the sheriff's office out there.' Sporadic but at times raucous protests broke out in several parts of the Los Angeles area in recent days, prompting President Donald Trump to deploy National Guard troops and Marines despite the fact that Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said the additional forces were not needed. Bondi said the Trump administration planned to take a hard line against demonstrators. 'You spit on a federal law enforcement officer no more,' she said. 'As President Trump said, you spit. we hit. Get ready. If you spit on a federal law enforcement officer, we are going to charge you with a crime federally. You are looking at up to five years maximum in prison.' Those charged already include David Huerta, president of the Service Employees International Union California, who was injured and arrested while protesting the arrest of workers in downtown Los Angeles. He was released Monday from federal custody on a $50,000 bond. The Trump administration's decisive treatment of demonstrators — and the president's focus on punishing those who assault police officers — stands in contrast to his sweeping pardons for roughly 1,500 people who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, seeking to overturn the election. Trump has deployed up to 4,000 soldiers from the California National Guard to help quell the demonstrations over the protests of Newsom and Bass — who say the moves are worsening tensions. The state has sued to reverse the deployments. The White House also ordered 700 Marines to join the National Guard, though it's unclear exactly what role they will play. The San Francisco Chronicle reported on Monday evening that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to direct military forces to arrest 'lawbreakers.' DHS did not immediately respond to request for comment from POLITICO, and the Department of Defense declined to comment on the story. 'You can run, you can't hide,' Bondi told Fox. 'We are coming after you federally. If you assault a police officer, if you rob a store, if you loot, if you spit on a police officer, we are coming after you.'
CBS News
28 minutes ago
- CBS News
Trump administration activates 700 Marines in Los Angeles area amid ICE protests
The military has activated about 700 active-duty Marines who could be sent to Los Angeles, joining National Guard troops who were sent to the city to respond to protests, U.S. Northern Command said in a statement. Members of the Marine Corps could start arriving in the Los Angeles area as soon as Tuesday, a defense official told CBS News. The Marines are based in Twentynine Palms, a city east of Los Angeles. Northern Command said the Marines will "seamlessly integrate" with hundreds of members of the National Guard to protect "federal personnel and federal property." They have been trained in "de-escalation, crowd control and standing rules for the use of force," the military added. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also said Monday that around 700 Marines "are being deployed to Los Angeles to restore order." Northern Command said the Marines who were activated are from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, an infantry unit based in Twentynine Palms, California, east of Los Angeles. Hegseth said the Marines are being deployed from a different base — Camp Pendleton, south of Los Angeles. When asked earlier Monday about the possibility of sending in Marines, President Trump said, "We'll see what happens." Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDowell said in a statement that the agency has decades of experience managing large-scale public demonstration and can handle the protests. "The arrival of federal military forces in Los Angeles — absent clear coordination — presents a significant logistical and operational challenge for those of us charged with safeguarding this city," he said in response to the possible deployment of Marines, adding that there needs to be open communication between all agencies to prevent confusion and avoid escalation. California Gov. Gavin Newsom's office said on X earlier Monday that it does not believe the Marines have been deployed yet, writing: "From our understanding, this is moving Marines from one base to another base." Newsom suggested late Monday he could take legal action over the planned use of Marines, calling it illegal: "It's a blatant abuse of power. We will sue to stop this," he wrote on X. Mr. Trump deployed National Guard troops to downtown Los Angeles over the weekend to respond to tense protests over Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests. The Trump administration argues the deployment is necessary to protect federal property and ICE agents from violence. Mr. Trump has accused local leaders of not doing enough to deal with violent clashes at the protests. Newsom opposed the deployment, and the state of California is suing the Trump administration over what it argues is an illegal federalization of the National Guard. Some local officials have argued the deployment could aggravate an already caustic situation in downtown Los Angeles, and say state and local police agencies can handle the protests themselves. "We didn't have a problem until Trump got involved," Newsom posted on X Monday.
Yahoo
33 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Immigration raids confirmed in Orange County, congressman says ICE is ‘inciting fear'
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids took place in Orange County on Monday, officials confirmed. 'We are aware of ongoing immigration enforcement activity in the Santa Ana Civic Center area,' announced the Santa Ana Unified School District in an X post Monday evening. 'We do not condone actions that disrupt our community or separate families.' The Santa Ana Police Department and city officials also issued a joint statement on Instagram, acknowledging the ICE activity and stating that they are aware the news causes 'fear and uncertainty' for community members. L.A. Protests: Live Updates A spokesperson for the police department told KTLA that they were made aware of the ICE activity in their city because of 'social media posts.' SAPD, similar to most other police departments in Southern California, has reinstated its policy of not participating in immigration enforcement efforts. Although federal or law enforcement officials have not revealed the specifics of the ICE raids, Rep. Lou Correa (D-Orange County) said he received reports that individuals in his district were being arrested for 'doing nothing but standing outside and being profiled.' Upon landing in Washington, D.C. on Monday, Rep. Correa issued a statement about the raids, saying, 'It's unacceptable, and shocking, that this is happening in my hometown of Santa Ana.' 'It appears agents are picking up hard-working, law-abiding taxpayers. Why?' read Rep. Correa's press release, which also shared that the congressman would be immediately returning to O.C. 'Yesterday, everything was good and boring in Santa Ana. Everyone was going to church and going to the grocery store—it was a beautiful day. Today ICE is coming in to raid and disrupt our neighborhood? These are the parents whose children went to school with my kids. They take care of our elderly, mow our lawns, and are a part of the fourth largest economy in the world. This is inciting fear in our community,' continued the release. Rep. Correa also urged those who resist 'unjust, illegal activity' to do so peacefully, referring to the lessons taught by Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. Glendale terminates 'divisive' detainee holding contract with ICE 'You don't take on a tank or an M16 by walking into it—you do it in a smart, legal, and safe way. Our future depends on a strategic, effective response. One that protects our kids, their future, and their rights.' The congressman concluded his statement by asking the federal government to use restraint and 'common sense' to adhere to the Constitution and provide everyone with due process. In a Monday evening press conference with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, she shared these values, saying, 'Stop the raids, and give the power back to our Governor.' SAUSD offered resources to the community, advising individuals to contact their local school or visit if they or someone they know needs support or information. 'We stand with our community – today and always.' The city of Santa Ana also provided resources, saying, 'If you or someone you know has questions or concerns, contact your local Congressional office and visit the City's Know Your Rights webpage at for resources and information.' Rep. Correa also encouraged anyone with questions about their legal rights to reach out to his office. For more resource information, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
