Trump Deploys 700 Marines, 2,100 Guards to Los Angeles Amid Immigration Protests

President Donald Trump's administration has deployed 700 active duty Marines to Los Angeles to support federal agents amid ongoing anti-ICE protests sparked by immigration raids, escalating tensions with California Governor Gavin Newsom. Newsom condemned the deployment as a "deranged fantasy" and "un-American," criticizing the use of active-duty troops on American soil against civilians. The Marines, alongside over 2,100 National Guard troops, are tasked with protecting federal property and personnel, and have been trained in crowd management and de-escalation. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that Marines could be mobilized further if violence continues, a stance Newsom called "deranged" and a violation of law. The protests, which began after ICE raids in Los Angeles and expanded into nearby communities, have seen clashes with law enforcement using tear gas, with some demonstrators responding with violence. This situation reflects heightened conflict between the Trump administration's immigration enforcement approach and California state leadership's opposition.