President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of hundreds of U.S. Marines to Los Angeles as anti-immigration riots continue to intensify across the city. The decision comes after days of violent protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.

According to Breitbart, approximately 700 Marines from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Division will "seamlessly integrate with the Title 10 forces under Task Force 51" to protect federal personnel and property in Los Angeles. This military reinforcement follows Trump's earlier decision to federalize 2,000 California National Guard members over the weekend.

The troops are being dispatched from the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Camp Pendleton, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirming the deployment on social media. Officials emphasized that while the Marines will protect federal buildings and personnel, they are not expected to directly engage with protesters.

Violent demonstrations spread

Rioters have intensified their actions across Los Angeles, with social media footage showing protesters throwing rocks at law enforcement officers and Border Patrol vehicles. The unrest has escalated to include looting businesses, burning vehicles and American flags, and shooting fireworks at mounted police officers.

Multiple news outlets have confirmed the deployment figures, with the Wall Street Journal initially reporting "roughly 500" Marines would be sent, while CNN and Reuters later cited figures closer to 700 troops. A U.S. Northern Command press release detailed that these forces would augment existing federal personnel protecting government property.

Though Trump federalized 2,000 National Guard members, reports indicate only about 300 have been deployed to Los Angeles streets so far. One source explained to CNN that the initial guardsmen were already on a routine drill weekend when mobilized, allowing for their quick deployment, while additional troops typically require up to 72 hours to mobilize.

Democratic leaders condemn federal response

California's Democratic leadership has strongly criticized Trump's decision to deploy federal forces, with Governor Gavin Newsom announcing legal action against the administration. The governor has characterized the president's actions as "purposefully inflammatory" and is suing the Trump administration for what he calls illegally federalizing the National Guard.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris issued a statement Sunday condemning the National Guard deployment as a "dangerous escalation" of the situation. Her statement reflects growing tension between Democratic leaders and the Trump administration over the appropriate response to the civil unrest.

Both Harris and Newsom have suggested that the federal intervention is politically motivated rather than a necessary public safety measure. Their opposition highlights the partisan divide over immigration enforcement that has intensified during Trump's presidency.

Protests gain momentum

The anti-ICE demonstrations have begun spreading beyond Los Angeles, with reports indicating similar protests emerging in Texas and San Francisco. The Department of Homeland Security has responded by highlighting criminal records of individuals arrested during recent immigration operations in Los Angeles.

Protesters have been seen waving foreign flags during demonstrations, a detail that has drawn particular attention from conservative media outlets covering the unrest. The imagery has become a focal point in discussions about the nature of the protests and their underlying motivations.

Several prominent celebrities have spoken out regarding the situation, with actors John Cusack and Mark Ruffalo reportedly denouncing the ICE raids and urging people to "resist at all costs." Meanwhile, leftist groups in Florida have reportedly pledged to organize street demonstrations "in solidarity with L.A."

Federal forces converge on Los Angeles

President Trump's decision to deploy Marines represents a significant escalation in the federal response to the civil unrest gripping Los Angeles. The approximately 700 Marines from Camp Pendleton will join National Guard forces already on the ground in what appears to be a growing federal presence.

Defense officials have emphasized that the Marines' role will be limited to protecting federal buildings and personnel rather than engaging directly with protesters. This deployment comes as part of a broader federal strategy that began with Trump's weekend memorandum federalizing thousands of National Guard troops.

Secretary Hegseth cited "increased threats to federal law enforcement officers and federal buildings" as the primary justification for the Marine deployment. As tensions between protesters and authorities continue to rise, both state and federal officials remain at odds over the appropriate response to what has become one of the most significant civil disturbances of Trump's presidency.