Nearly 700 U.S. Marines have been mobilized to Los Angeles amid escalating protests over immigration policies, marking a dramatic federal response that’s drawing sharp criticism from California’s leadership. 🌆 The Marines, stationed at Twentynine Palms base, are set to join National Guard troops already deployed under President Trump’s orders to protect federal assets—a move Governor Gavin Newsom called a 'deranged fantasy' on social media.
Why Marines? The Legal Tightrope
While Marines are barred from direct law enforcement (think arrests or crowd control 🚫), their activation signals a potential prelude to invoking the Insurrection Act—a law last used in 1992 during the LA riots. Legal experts warn this could escalate tensions further, as protesters clash with National Guard units in downtown LA.
Newsom vs. Trump: A Clash of Narratives
Governor Newsom’s office insists the Marines are merely 'moving between bases,' not actively deployed. But Trump’s decision to bypass state authority—sending 2,000 National Guard troops earlier this month—has ignited a constitutional debate. 'This is un-American,' Newsom declared, framing the mobilization as an overreach against citizens exercising dissent.
What’s Next?
With Marines expected to arrive within 24 hours, all eyes are on whether protests will intensify. Over 1,000 demonstrators faced off with troops Sunday, raising concerns about civil-military relations. As one activist tweeted: 'Since when did Marines become crowd control?' 🤔
