Roughly 700 active-duty Marines have been deployed to Los Angeles in response to escalating violence tied to ongoing immigration enforcement protests. Alongside about 4,000 National Guard personnel already on the ground, the Marines were mobilized to protect federal assets and personnel amid days of unrest.
The deployment comes after federal authorities reported increasing assaults and threats against Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. The military presence aims to restore order and shield federal buildings and staff from further harm.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has pushed back against the move, filing a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the deployment. Meanwhile, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass declared a local emergency and enacted a citywide curfew to help control the situation.
Pentagon officials estimate the cost of the operation at approximately $134 million. Lawmakers have begun demanding greater clarity regarding both the legal authority behind the military’s use and the breakdown of associated costs.
As tensions continue to rise, the move has intensified the national debate over federal intervention in state matters, particularly when it involves military force in response to civil protest.