A battalion of U.S. Marines is being dispatched to Los Angeles as unrest tied to anti-ICE demonstrations continues to spiral out of control throughout Southern California. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had issued a warning, instructing Marines to prepare for possible deployment to Los Angeles “if violence continues.”
By Monday, that warning became a directive. According to CNN and ABC News, Hegseth authorized the mobilization of 700 Marines from the Twentynine Palms base in California to head to the city.
These troops will join the 300 National Guard soldiers already stationed in Los Angeles. President Trump previously directed that 2,000 members of the California National Guard be placed on standby for immediate deployment in the area.
Officials familiar with the operation told CNN that the Marines are expected to help rotate and relieve some of the National Guard forces currently in the field.
Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom responded with legal action. On Monday, he filed a lawsuit targeting the Trump administration’s deployment of the National Guard, asserting that the federal intervention has only served to inflame the situation.
Over the weekend, peaceful protests gave way to full-blown riots, with demonstrators halting traffic—including shutting down the 101 Freeway—and effectively turning downtown Los Angeles into a restricted zone.
At least five Waymo self-driving vehicles were torched by rioters, while others hurled glass bottles and chunks of concrete at officers clad in riot gear. The autonomous ride service was forced to suspend its app temporarily after demonstrators began booking rides just to destroy the vehicles.
Amid the chaos, innocent bystanders and members of the media have also suffered. An Australian journalist was struck by a rubber bullet while reporting live from the scene.
Demonstrators came equipped with face coverings and flags, many of which bore Mexican emblems or merged American and Mexican symbols. One protester arrived on stilts before being tackled by police officers.
Governor Newsom intensified his criticism of President Trump’s handling of the crisis, daring border security official Tom Homan to arrest him. Trump replied that he “would do it” — if he were Homan, that is.
Since the protests erupted on Friday, at least 56 people have been taken into custody.
{Matzav.com}