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US President Donald Trump escalated federal military involvement in Los Angeles immigration protests by deploying more than 700 Marines while issuing stark warnings that demonstrators who disrespect troops will face unprecedented retaliation, CNN reported.
The Marine battalion from California's Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center represents a significant expansion of Trump's use of military force against protesters, joining over 2,000 California National Guard troops activated without consent from state or local officials, according to three sources familiar with the deployment.
The Marines will augment National Guard forces already deployed to Los Angeles streets, though their specific mission remains undefined. Like National Guard troops, the Marines cannot conduct law enforcement activities such as arrests unless Trump invokes the Insurrection Act.
About 300 National Guard members have been positioned on Los Angeles streets, with the Marine deployment expected to bolster their presence. Defense Department lawyers are finalizing use-of-force guidelines for the federal troops, which sources said will likely mirror existing military rules of engagement.
The deployment marks the first federal military intervention over a state governor's objections since 1965 during the civil rights era. Potential assignments could include crowd control and establishing security perimeters around protest areas.
Trump issued his most direct threat yet against demonstrators through his Truth Social platform, specifically targeting protesters who show disrespect to federal forces.
"If they spit, we will hit," Trump posted, referring to alleged incidents where demonstrators spat at National Guard personnel. "I promise you they will be hit harder than they have ever been hit before. Such disrespect will not be tolerated!"
The president characterized the demonstrators as "insurrectionists" and "professional agitators," claiming federal intervention prevented Los Angeles from being "completely obliterated." He described the situation as "catastrophic Gavin Newscum inspired Riots," using a derogatory spelling of California Governor Gavin Newsom's name.
Governor Newsom accused Trump of deliberately inflaming tensions through the military deployment. "This is exactly what Donald Trump wanted. He flamed the fires," Newsom said, announcing California would sue the federal government over the troop activation.
When asked if Newsom should be arrested, Trump responded, "I would do it."
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called the federal response "a recipe for pandemonium," emphasizing that unrest remained "isolated to a few streets" rather than citywide civil disorder.
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The demonstrations erupted following Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids targeting what authorities describe as illegal migrants and gang members. Trump's border czar Tom Homan said operations focused on Mexican and Colombian cartel members.
Los Angeles police reported 56 arrests over two days, with five officers sustaining minor injuries. An additional 60 arrests occurred during related San Francisco protests. Despite isolated violence including vehicle fires and vandalism, officials stressed most protesters remained peaceful.
The United Nations warned against "further militarization" of the situation, while former Vice President Kamala Harris called the deployment "a dangerous escalation meant to provoke chaos."
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned the violence while urging Mexicans in the United States to "act peacefully and not give in to provocations."
Schools across Los Angeles operated normally Monday as the city's daily routines continued despite the heightened federal military presence.
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