Marines in LA: ‘No Kings’ Protests & National Response
- As Los Angeles prepares for "No Kings" protests, President Donald trump has deployed 700 Marines to the city. Approximately 200 Marines arrived Friday to guard the Wilshire federal...
- Marines have already carried out a detainment in Los Angeles.
- Earlier in the week, the commander overseeing military operations in Los Angeles said military personnel are authorized only to temporarily detain individuals, not to make arrests.
Donald Trump’s decision to deploy Marines to Los Angeles ahead of the “No Kings” protests sparks immediate controversy and raises critical questions. The primary_keyword centers around the legality and implications of military involvement in domestic law enforcement, particularly concerning the Posse Comitatus Act. Secondary_keyword, focuses on the deployment’s impact on protesters and the potential for escalation. Reports detail temporary detentions and a senator being handcuffed, adding fuel to the fire. News Directory 3 provides timely updates as the situation unfolds, examining the legal challenges and political responses. Will the military’s role expand,or will the courts intervene? Discover what’s next …
trump Deploys Marines to Los Angeles Amidst Planned Protests
Updated June 14, 2025
As Los Angeles prepares for “No Kings” protests, President Donald trump has deployed 700 Marines to the city. Approximately 200 Marines arrived Friday to guard the Wilshire federal Building. The move is the latest in Trump’s response to immigration enforcement and protest policing.
Marines have already carried out a detainment in Los Angeles. Photographs show armed Marines temporarily detaining a civilian at the Wilshire Federal Building. The U.S. military confirmed the incident. The individual, who identified himself to The New York Times as an Army veteran, said he was trying to reach the Veteran’s Affairs office and was not bothered by the detainment.
Earlier in the week, the commander overseeing military operations in Los Angeles said military personnel are authorized only to temporarily detain individuals, not to make arrests.
The deployment of Marines in local police work raises questions about the Posse Comitatus Act, which generally prohibits the military from engaging in domestic law enforcement.
The deployment comes after a federal judge attempted to place a restraining order on Trump’s move to federalize 4,000 California National Guard troops. An appeals court has since stayed that injunction.
The judge deferred addressing the role of the Marines, stating he would await a court date to weigh evidence on whether federal forces were engaging in police-like behavior.
Trump has long expressed interest in using military force to counter domestic opposition. On June 6,ICE raids targeted warehouses,clothing manufacturers,and Home Depot parking lots across Los Angeles,sparking protests. Trump then deployed 2,000 National Guard troops into the city,despite objections from California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass.
On Thursday, Sen. Alex Padilla,D-Calif., was handcuffed by FBI agents after attempting to question DHS Secretary Kristi Noem at a press conference. Padilla said he was “there peacefully” seeking answers about immigration policies. “I was forced to the ground, and I was handcuffed,” Padilla said, adding he was not arrested or detained. He questioned how the governance treats ordinary citizens if they treat a senator this way.
Millions are expected to protest Trump’s military parade on his birthday, which coincides with Flag Day and the Army’s 250th anniversary. The parade is slated to include tanks, Howitzers, mobile rocket launchers, and military aircraft in Washington, D.C.
Protest organizers have dubbed june 14 a “nationwide day of defiance.” Their website states the protests are in response to government overreach.
Trump has threatened demonstrators planning to protest at his military parade,declaring they will be met with “very big force.”
What’s next
The legal and political ramifications of deploying military personnel for domestic law enforcement remain to be seen as the protests unfold and legal challenges continue.