Marines Deployed to Los Angeles Amid Immigration Protests

Jun. 13, 2025, 1:51 pm ET

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  • About 200 Marines have been deployed to Los Angeles to protect federal property and personnel.
  • The deployment follows recent protests over federal immigration raids in the city.
  • The Marines will join approximately 2,000 National Guard troops already on the streets.

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Essential Context

In response to ongoing protests sparked by federal immigration raids, Major General Scott Sherman announced that about 200 Marines have been moved into Los Angeles. These Marines are tasked with protecting federal property and personnel.

Core Players

  • Major General Scott Sherman – Commander of Task Force 51
  • U.S. Marines – Deployed to protect federal assets
  • National Guard – Approximately 2,000 troops already deployed in Los Angeles
  • California Governor Gavin Newsom – Criticized the deployment as a “serious breach of state sovereignty”

Key Numbers

  • 200 – Number of Marines deployed to Los Angeles
  • 2,000 – Number of National Guard troops already in the city
  • 4,700 – Total troops deployed under Task Force 51
  • $134 million – Estimated cost of deploying the National Guard and Marines

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The Catalyst

The deployment of Marines is a direct response to the protests that erupted following federal immigration raids in Los Angeles. These raids have been part of a broader immigration crackdown initiated by the federal government.

“The soldiers will not participate in law enforcement activities. Rather, they’ll be focused on protecting federal law enforcement personnel,” Major General Scott Sherman emphasized.

Inside Forces

The Marines have completed training on civil disturbance and will take over operations at the federal building in downtown Los Angeles at noon local time. This move is part of a larger effort to ensure the safety of federal property and personnel amidst the protests.

The situation has been complicated by legal battles, including a federal judge’s order to return control of National Guard troops to California, which was temporarily blocked by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Power Dynamics

California Governor Gavin Newsom has strongly opposed the deployment, calling it a “serious breach of state sovereignty” and a power grab by the federal government. The federal government, however, has cited a legal provision allowing the mobilization of federal service members in cases of “a rebellion or danger of a rebellion against the authority of the Government of the United States.”

Outside Impact

The deployment has broader implications for state-federal relations and the handling of civil disturbances. The presence of both Marines and National Guard troops highlights the escalating tensions between state and federal authorities.

Protests over the past few nights have been largely peaceful, with only a handful of arrests, mostly for failing to disperse.

Future Forces

The situation is set to be reviewed further, with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals scheduling a hearing on the matter for Tuesday. This hearing will determine the legality and continuation of the National Guard deployment.

In the meantime, the presence of military personnel is expected to continue, with a focus on maintaining order and protecting federal assets.

Data Points

  • June 13, 2025: Marines deploy to Los Angeles to protect federal property and personnel.
  • Last week: Immigration raids trigger protests in Los Angeles.
  • Tuesday: Scheduled hearing by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on the National Guard deployment.
  • $134 million: Estimated cost of deploying the National Guard and Marines.

The deployment of Marines to Los Angeles underscores the complex and often contentious relationship between state and federal authorities, particularly in the context of immigration policies and civil disturbances. As the situation evolves, it will be crucial to monitor the legal, political, and social implications of these actions.