Marines in Los Angeles? GOP Defends Trump’s Immigration Protest Response

Updated⁢ June 08, ⁣2025

The potential deployment of active-duty Marines to Los Angeles to address immigration protests is drawing support from​ prominent⁣ Republicans. This comes after the U.S. secretary of defense raised the ​possibility of sending troops to confront demonstrators opposing the​ administration’s detention and deportation policies.

Pete Hegseth posted on X that the Department of Defense ⁤is mobilizing ⁤the National Guard to⁤ support federal law enforcement in Los Angeles. He added that Marines at Camp Pendleton are on high alert and could be deployed if violence escalates.

House Speaker⁢ Mike Johnson addressed the issue on ABC’s⁤ This Week ‌ when Jonathan⁢ Karl asked if active-duty Marines could be seen on⁣ the streets ⁣of Los Angeles. Johnson stated that maintaining peace through strength is a core principle, both domestically and in ‍foreign affairs. He added⁤ that he‌ believes the president is ‌sending ‍an meaningful signal.

Karl pressed Johnson, asking‌ if sending Marines into an ⁢american city is heavy-handed.Johnson responded that the U.S. ⁢must be prepared to do what is ‌necesary, and the possibility of such action might have a deterrent effect. ‌The last ⁤time active-duty military troops were used to suppress unrest was during the 1992 Los Angeles riots following the Rodney King ​verdict.

Sen. James Lankford argued on NBC’s Meet the⁣ Press that Trump is trying to de-escalate tensions by deploying the National Guard. however,Gov.​ Gavin Newsom has called the‍ move “purposefully inflammatory.” Lankford criticized‍ protesters carrying‌ Mexican flags, stating that ⁤violating federal law should ‍have consequences, nonetheless of the state.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin echoed this sentiment on CNN’s State of ⁢the Union, calling it “insane” for protesters to carry a foreign flag. Dana Bash pointed ‍out that carrying a flag is not illegal. Mullin responded that carrying a foreign flag while attacking law enforcement is “pretty bad.”

the Los ⁢Angeles Police Department (LAPD) clarified its⁣ stance on the protests. The LAPD posted on X that⁢ everyone has the right to peacefully assemble and voice their‍ opinions. However, vandalizing property and attempting‍ to seriously injure officers is‍ not peaceful.

Kristen Welker of Meet the Press noted⁢ that Newsom said there is no unmet law‍ enforcement need and that the LAPD described the protests as peaceful. Lankford claimed that ⁤the LAPD is “being overwhelmed,” though the LAPD has not ⁢made ​such a statement.

Lankford also claimed that California’s sanctuary city policies promote the idea that people can violate federal law without consequence. He said that when those individuals are arrested for federal crimes, they protest,⁢ claiming immunity from federal law. He said that is not true.

Sanctuary city policies limit⁢ how state and⁣ local⁣ resources are used ⁢to aid federal immigration enforcement. Under the Tenth Amendment, states can⁢ allocate resources as they see fit, which ​has been used to justify not assisting⁢ with federal immigration raids.

“One of our core principles is maintaining peace through strength,” Johnson said during an interview on Sunday’s episode of This Week. “We do that on ⁤foreign affairs and domestic affairs as well. I don’t think that’s heavy handed. I think that’s an critically important signal.”

“This is an American ⁣city, and ⁣to be‍ able to have an American city where we have people literally flying Mexican flags and saying, ‘You cannot arrest us,’ ​cannot be allowed,” Lankford said on Sunday. “If someone violates the law, no matter what state that they’re in, they’re in violation of a federal law. They should face consequences for that.”

what’s ‍next

The situation remains fluid, with potential for further escalation depending on the⁢ actions of protesters, law enforcement, and the federal government. The ⁣legality and appropriateness of deploying active-duty military personnel in response to domestic protests will likely continue to be debated.