Approximately 700 U.S. Marines from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, based in Twentynine Palms, California, have been activated to support National Guard troops in Los Angeles amid ongoing protests, according to U.S. Northern Command. The deployment follows President Donald Trump’s weekend order to protect federal assets, marking one of the largest domestic military mobilizations in recent decades.
Legal Limits and State Opposition
While Marines are barred from direct law enforcement unless the Insurrection Act is invoked, California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the move as “un-American” and “unprecedented,” arguing the escalation risks militarizing domestic dissent. His office clarified that Marines were being relocated between bases rather than deployed for active duty, highlighting tensions between federal and state authorities.
Protest Context and Regional Impact
The mobilization follows clashes between over 1,000 protesters and National Guard troops in downtown Los Angeles during demonstrations against recent immigration enforcement actions. Analysts note the rare federal intervention bypasses traditional state oversight, raising questions about civil-military boundaries in domestic crises.
