LOS ANGELES, Calif. (WDNews) – More than 700 U.S. Marines have been ordered to Los Angeles to support the growing military presence amid ongoing protests. The Marines are from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, based at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in California.
Sources say the move, which comes without approval from California Governor Gavin Newsom or Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, signals a major escalation in President Donald Trump’s response to the unrest. The Marines will join over 2,000 National Guard troops who were activated by Trump over the weekend.
While the Marines are prohibited from performing law enforcement actions like arrests—unless the Insurrection Act is invoked—they will reportedly support National Guard efforts already on the ground. Their exact role is still unclear.
According to U.S. Northern Command, the deployment is meant to strengthen Task Force 51’s ongoing mission to assist the lead federal agency overseeing the situation. Only about 300 National Guard troops have been visible on the streets of L.A. so far, and sources say the Marines will help relieve and reinforce those already deployed.
The initial guard response was fast because many were already scheduled for routine training. Mobilizing the rest could take up to 72 hours, prompting the additional Marine support.
