200 Marines Move into Los Angeles to Protect Federal Property Amid Protests
As tensions soared in the wake of federal immigration raids, about 200 Marines have entered Los Angeles to safeguard federal assets and personnel. According to Maj Gen Scott Sherman, commander of Task Force 51 overseeing the deployment, the Marines have successfully completed civil unrest training. Sherman stated on Friday that the Marines would begin their operations at 12 noon local time at the federal building in downtown Los Angeles.
Sherman emphasized that the soldiers will not engage in law enforcement activities but will focus on protecting federal law enforcement officers. This development comes a day after the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily halted a federal judge’s order to return control of National Guard troops to California, after ruling their mobilization unauthorized and a breach of the Tenth Amendment.
In addition to the Marines, 2,000 National Guard troops have been in the city since last week, following protests sparked by immigration raids. The demonstrations have remained largely peaceful with仅有 a few arrests. California Governor Gavin Newsom has called the troop deployment a “serious breach of state sovereignty” and has initiated court action to stop it.
The presidents cites a legal provision that allows him to mobilize federal forces in cases of rebellion or danger to the government’s authority.
The National Guard troops that are currently protecting federal property will transition to providing support for federal law enforcement officers, but will not engage in law enforcement activities.
Sherman noted that the US Marine Corps is specially trained to defend U.S. embassies overseas, maintaining strict protocols to prevent any form of detainment.
Despite the deployments, the outcome of the weekend’s demonstrations remains uncertain as governors weigh their responses. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered 5,000 National Guard members on standby in cities where protests are planned. Republican governors have not yet provided deployment instructions, while Democratic governors have called the president’s actions “an alarming abuse of power.”
So far, around 470 arrests have occurred in Los Angeles, primarily for failing to comply with police requests. Nine officers have been lightly injured in the process.
In light of the ongoing protests and the potential for furtherdeployments in other states, state governments are currently considering their responses.
Source: Local News Network
