ISLAMABAD: The Trump administration has deployed U.S. Marines to Los Angeles to support intensifying immigration raids, triggering widespread protests and fierce backlash from Democratic leaders who warn of an escalating national crisis.
Roughly 700 Marines arrived or were expected to arrive late Monday or early Tuesday, filling in until 4,000 National Guard troops can be fully mobilised.
Though framed as a temporary move to protect federal property, the deployment marks a rare and controversial use of military force in a domestic law enforcement context.
Federal Push Sparks Political, Legal Battle
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem vowed to escalate operations, pledging a dramatic increase in arrests of undocumented immigrants.
Over the past few days, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has detained approximately 2,000 individuals daily — a figure far surpassing the 311 daily average recorded in 2024 under the Biden administration.
In response, California Governor Gavin Newsom has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, accusing it of violating state sovereignty and federal law.
President Trump, in turn, voiced support for arresting Newsom, aligning with his immigration czar’s call for legal action against the governor.
The deployment has divided political lines even further. Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, condemned the move as “unprecedented and dangerous,” accusing Trump of using the military as a political weapon.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also criticised the crackdown, stating, “This is a city of immigrants,” while Noem fired back on national television, calling Los Angeles “a city of criminals.”
Protest Movement Builds Nationwide
Protests erupted for a fourth consecutive day outside federal detention facilities in Los Angeles, where hundreds gathered to oppose ICE actions and military involvement.
Chants of “free them all” echoed as demonstrators waved Central American flags and clashed with law enforcement.
Police dispersed crowds with tear gas, flashbangs, and “less lethal” munitions in scenes reminiscent of major civil unrest.
Federal officials say these aggressive operations will only intensify. “The more they protest and commit acts of violence, the harder ICE will come after them,” Noem warned.
The protests have spread to at least nine other cities, including New York, San Francisco, and Philadelphia, with further clashes reported in Austin, Texas.
The administration has not invoked the Insurrection Act but claims the right to deploy Marines under executive powers.
This move marks the most significant military action during civil disturbance since the 1992 Los Angeles riots, during which federal troops were deployed at the state’s request.
Trump’s latest actions have raised alarms about authoritarian overreach, with critics warning that bypassing state authority may signal a shift in federal-state power dynamics.
