The US Northern Command handling the operations said the troops wouldn’t engage with protestors|@USNorthernCmd|X
A Monday order from President Donald Trump deployed around 700 active-duty Marines and an additional 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles to protect federal employees and buildings in the wake of the immigration protests in California.
It marks the first time in over 30 years that Marines have been sent to an American city to handle civil unrest, according to the Wall Street Journal. The US Northern Command handling the operations said the troops wouldn’t engage with protestors.
However, over 60 arrests have been made in the protests that began on June 6. What started as peaceful demonstrations addressing the slew of immigration crackdowns in LA, have turned violent quickly.
Demonstrators have blocked major freeways, set robotaxis on fire and vandalized property. The police used tear gas, rubber bullets and flash-bang grenades to disperse crowds.
Waymo suspended its self-driving car service in several parts of Los Angeles after five of its taxis were burned in the protests. Similar protests erupted in San Francisco, Santa Ana, Dallas, and Austin.
Trump also threatened to arrest California Governor Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass who pushed back against the use of National Guards.