On June 9, 2025, President Donald Trump deployed U.S. Marines to Los Angeles to quell escalating protests sparked by his administration’s controversial policies, including mass deportation plans and trade tariffs.
The demonstrations, centered in downtown LA, saw thousands rally against what organizers called “authoritarian overreach,” with clashes erupting between protesters and police near City Hall. The deployment, authorized under the Insurrection Act, marks a rare use of federal troops for domestic unrest, drawing 2,500 Marines from Camp Pendleton to restore order after reports of looting and vandalism. The move has polarized the nation, amplifying debates over civil liberties and governance.
The protests, led by coalitions of immigrant rights groups and labor unions, intensified following Trump’s executive orders targeting undocumented migrants and imposing 145% tariffs on Chinese goods. California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the deployment as “unnecessary escalation,” urging dialogue, while LAPD reported 200 arrests and injuries to 15 officers. Marine units, equipped with non-lethal gear, patrolled key areas, with Colonel James T. Brady emphasizing a “measured response.”
Critics, including the ACLU, warned of constitutional violations, citing the Posse Comitatus Act, while Trump’s base, rallied via Truth Social, praised his decisiveness. The unrest, evoking 1992 LA riots, has disrupted local businesses, with shop owners like Maria Lopez boarding up storefronts. The White House signaled readiness to extend military presence if protests spread, as national leaders grapple with a volatile political climate.