Latest news with #NORTHCOM
The Sun
13-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Marines Deployed in LA Amid ICE Protest Unrest, Tensions Rise
NEW YORK: Roughly 200 US Marines took up position in Los Angeles on Friday to protect federal property and personnel after protests in the city against immigration raids. The deployment of the Marine Corps -- typically deployed abroad as a rapid strike force -- is highly unusual for domestic crowd-control scenarios inside the United States. Why were they called? Protests began last week after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted raids in and around Los Angeles. The gatherings were mostly peaceful but there were also incidents of vandalism and aggression towards ICE agents and local police. Some demonstrators breached curfews as they rallied by the downtown Federal Building and the nearby Metropolitan Detention Center, a federal prison holding immigrants. President Donald Trump first took the controversial step of "federalizing" thousands of California National Guard troops -- sending them to the area against the wishes of California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Shortly after, on Monday, the Trump administration announced that about 700 active-duty Marines would also be sent to Los Angeles. What will they do? US Northern Command (NORTHCOM), which has responsibility over US armed forces operating in North America, said the Marines will protect federal personnel and property. Major General Scott Sherman, who is leading the Los Angeles mission, said two companies of Marines were taking up position at the Wilshire Federal Building. Sherman said the Marines would "hold off crowds" as needed. Military members cannot arrest protesters as that is a law enforcement activity. But NORTHCOM said Marines could "temporarily detain an individual to stop an assault of, to prevent harm to, or to prevent interference with federal personnel performing their duties." Could they get more power? The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 prevents the use of US federal troops such as Marines for domestic law enforcement activities. But that would change if Trump invoked the Insurrection Act, which lets the president deploy federal troops to suppress a violent rebellion on US soil. It was last used during the Los Angeles riots in 1992 following the acquittal of police officers involved in the beating of motorist Rodney King. Under the Insurrection Act, federal troops have the power to conduct searches and arrest people suspected of breaking the law. Trump has notably not ruled out using the act. "If there's an insurrection, I would certainly invoke it," he said this week. "We'll see."
The Sun
13-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
What will the US Marines do in Los Angeles?
NEW YORK: Roughly 200 US Marines took up position in Los Angeles on Friday to protect federal property and personnel after protests in the city against immigration raids. The deployment of the Marine Corps -- typically deployed abroad as a rapid strike force -- is highly unusual for domestic crowd-control scenarios inside the United States. Why were they called? Protests began last week after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted raids in and around Los Angeles. The gatherings were mostly peaceful but there were also incidents of vandalism and aggression towards ICE agents and local police. Some demonstrators breached curfews as they rallied by the downtown Federal Building and the nearby Metropolitan Detention Center, a federal prison holding immigrants. President Donald Trump first took the controversial step of "federalizing" thousands of California National Guard troops -- sending them to the area against the wishes of California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Shortly after, on Monday, the Trump administration announced that about 700 active-duty Marines would also be sent to Los Angeles. What will they do? US Northern Command (NORTHCOM), which has responsibility over US armed forces operating in North America, said the Marines will protect federal personnel and property. Major General Scott Sherman, who is leading the Los Angeles mission, said two companies of Marines were taking up position at the Wilshire Federal Building. Sherman said the Marines would "hold off crowds" as needed. Military members cannot arrest protesters as that is a law enforcement activity. But NORTHCOM said Marines could "temporarily detain an individual to stop an assault of, to prevent harm to, or to prevent interference with federal personnel performing their duties." Could they get more power? The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 prevents the use of US federal troops such as Marines for domestic law enforcement activities. But that would change if Trump invoked the Insurrection Act, which lets the president deploy federal troops to suppress a violent rebellion on US soil. It was last used during the Los Angeles riots in 1992 following the acquittal of police officers involved in the beating of motorist Rodney King. Under the Insurrection Act, federal troops have the power to conduct searches and arrest people suspected of breaking the law. Trump has notably not ruled out using the act. "If there's an insurrection, I would certainly invoke it," he said this week. "We'll see."
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
What will the US Marines do in Los Angeles?
Roughly 200 US Marines took up position in Los Angeles on Friday to protect federal property and personnel after protests in the city against immigration raids. The deployment of the Marine Corps -- typically deployed abroad as a rapid strike force -- is highly unusual for domestic crowd-control scenarios inside the United States. - Why were they called? - Protests began last week after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted raids in and around Los Angeles. The gatherings were mostly peaceful but there were also incidents of vandalism and aggression towards ICE agents and local police. Some demonstrators breached curfews as they rallied by the downtown Federal Building and the nearby Metropolitan Detention Center, a federal prison holding immigrants. President Donald Trump first took the controversial step of "federalizing" thousands of California National Guard troops -- sending them to the area against the wishes of California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Shortly after, on Monday, the Trump administration announced that about 700 active-duty Marines would also be sent to Los Angeles. - What will they do? - US Northern Command (NORTHCOM), which has responsibility over US armed forces operating in North America, said the Marines will protect federal personnel and property. Major General Scott Sherman, who is leading the Los Angeles mission, said two companies of Marines were taking up position at the Wilshire Federal Building. Sherman said the Marines would "hold off crowds" as needed. Military members cannot arrest protesters as that is a law enforcement activity. But NORTHCOM said Marines could "temporarily detain an individual to stop an assault of, to prevent harm to, or to prevent interference with federal personnel performing their duties." - Could they get more power? - The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 prevents the use of US federal troops such as Marines for domestic law enforcement activities. But that would change if Trump invoked the Insurrection Act, which lets the president deploy federal troops to suppress a violent rebellion on US soil. It was last used during the Los Angeles riots in 1992 following the acquittal of police officers involved in the beating of motorist Rodney King. Under the Insurrection Act, federal troops have the power to conduct searches and arrest people suspected of breaking the law. Trump has notably not ruled out using the act. "If there's an insurrection, I would certainly invoke it," he said this week. "We'll see." cf/bjt/acb
Fox News
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Marines to begin operations in Los Angeles Friday, ahead of nationwide anti-Trump protests
Los Angeles residents may begin seeing Marines in the area as soon as Thursday, with protection operations in coordination with the National Guard set to begin Friday. The 700 Marines were reportedly sent by President Donald Trump to Seal Beach, which is south of L.A. County, to train for nonlethal weapons training—including hand-to-hand combat and crowd control. Seal Beach training recently finished, and the Marines have moved to "familiarization" training alongside the National Guard in Los Angeles, a U.S. defense official told Fox News. "They are finishing up training and transitioning to a mission-familiarization phase alongside the 79th IBCT," the official said Thursday. "So it's possible you'll start seeing Marines in the L.A. area today. They have NOT officially begun operations yet." More than 2,000 National Guardsmen are still stationed in L.A., as protests are expected to continue through the weekend. "No Kings" protests against President Donald Trump and the administration are slated to take place in thousands of cities across the U.S. on Saturday, as the nation's capitol hosts a military parade for the Army's 250th anniversary and Flag Day. The protests also coincide with the president's 79th birthday. Though the Marines, acting under NORTHCOM's direction, are only tasked with protecting federal property and law enforcement, the cost of the military endeavor has drawn criticism. Officials estimated sending the Marines and National Guard to California will cost taxpayers about $134 million, taking away from the operations and maintenance budget. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing that the troops were necessary to keep the city and its residents safe. "[It's] not about lethality. It's about maintaining law and order on behalf of law enforcement agents who deserve to do their job without being attacked by mobs of people," Hegseth said. "We are very proud that the National Guard and the Marines are on the streets defending the ICE agents, and they will continue." Despite legal challenges by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Hegseth said there is "plenty of precedent" for the U.S. supporting law enforcement officers.
Axios
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Marines will deploy to LA protests this week after crowd control training
The 700 Marines sent to the Los Angeles area following days of protests have completed their training and will be join other troops within 48 hours of Wednesday, U.S. Northern Command said. The big picture: Another 2,000 National Guard members will be deployed alongside the 2,100 troops who have already been sent to Los Angeles, NORTHCOM said. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has fiercely opposed the Trump administration's deployment of Guard members and Marines, challenging the president in court and online. Driving the news: The Marines' training included "de-escalation, crowd-control, and understanding the Standing Rules for the Use of Force," according to NORTHCOM. Context: Their mission is to protect federal personnel and property in the area, not to do "law enforcement functions." They "have accompanied ICE on missions, but they are not a part of the operations," per NORTHCOM. "They protect; they don't participate," the statement emphasized. Yes, but: The Trump administration says the National Guard can temporarily detain people in some cases. According to NORTHCOM, those circumstances include stopping an assault, preventing harm to others or halting interference with federal personnel. That detention would end when the individual can be "safely transferred" to the custody of appropriate civilian law enforcement. Under the Posse Comitatus Act, federal troops are barred from participating in civilian law enforcement, except when they are expressly authorized under law, per the Brennan Center for Justice. What they're saying: The Los Angeles Police Department declined to comment on whether it will coordinate with the Marines and National Guard in response to a question from Axios Wednesday. Zoom out: The protests have ignited demonstrations across the country denouncing the Trump administration's aggressive mass deportation push.
