 "A man waves a Mexican flag as smoke and flames rise from a burning vehicle during a protest against federal immigration sweeps, near Los Angeles City Hall in downtown Los Angeles, California, US, June 8, 2025. File Image/Reuters")
US President Donald Trump on Monday deployed hundreds of active-duty Marines to Los Angeles, warning that protesters opposing immigration arrests would be “hit harder” than ever.
Around 700 regular military troops are set to join thousands of National Guard members already in the city.
The move is expected to heighten tensions in the heavily Latino area.
Additional 2000 National Guards to be deployed in LA
As protests continue for a fourth day, more National Guard troops are being sent to help those already on the ground, says Pentagon.
The total is expected to reach 2,000 by mid-week. However, the Pentagon has not used the Insurrection Act, which would allow the military to directly handle law enforcement – a step officials say they are trying to avoid.
‘Deranged fantasy of a dictatorial president’: Guv Newsom
California Governor Gavin Newsom criticised Trump’s action, calling it “deranged.”
“US Marines have served honourably across multiple wars in defence of democracy,” Newsom posted on X.
“They shouldn’t be deployed on American soil facing their own countrymen to fulfil the deranged fantasy of a dictatorial President. This is un-American.”
The deployment followed chaotic scenes in Downtown LA on Sunday, where protesters set cars on fire and looted stores. Police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets.
“The people causing the problems are professional agitators and insurrectionists,” Trump told reporters in Washington.
In a post on social media, he said he had deployed National Guard troops “to deal with the violent, instigated riots” and claimed that “if we had not done so, Los Angeles would have been completely obliterated.”
He also alleged that protesters spat at troops and warned, “I promise you they will be hit harder than they have ever been hit before. Such disrespect will not be tolerated!”