The U.S. Department of Defense announced that it would deploy approximately 700 Marines to Los Angeles to support federal law enforcement amid mass protests sparked by raids on illegal immigrants. This was reported on June 10, 2025, by the U.S. Northern Command, which specified that service members from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Regiment, 1st Marine Division would be integrated into a task force in the city area. The Marines are called upon to ensure the safety of federal employees and government property while the situation in the metropolis remains tense.

The Los Angeles protests began on June 6 after large-scale operations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained at least 44 people for immigration violations. According to Reuters, the demonstrations turned violent, with cars being set on fire, looting, and clashes with police. In the Paramount area, protesters blocked a freeway, and law enforcement used tear gas and rubber bullets, arresting more than 10 people. In response, US President Donald Trump ordered 2000 National Guard troops to be deployed to the city, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned of the possibility of calling in the regular army if the violence continued.

The Pentagon's decision drew sharp criticism from local authorities. California Governor Gavin Newsom called the deployment of troops "provocative" in a letter to Hegseth and demanded that control of the National Guard be returned to the state, arguing that local forces were capable of handling the situation. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass accused federal agents of "sowing fear" among residents, especially in Latino areas. According to the BBC, Newsom said the military's presence would only increase tensions, reminding that it is unacceptable to use the military against citizens on American soil.

Trump, in turn, called the protests a "riot" against US laws. On his social network Truth Social, he criticized Newsom and Bass, promising to "solve the problem of rioting and looting" with federal forces. According to Vedomosti, the administration refers to Section 10 of the US Code, which allows the president to use the National Guard in the event of a threat of riot. Hegseth specified that the Marines at Camp Pendleton in California are on high alert, ready to be sent immediately.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the unrest began over rumors of ICE raids on Home Depot stores, though the Department of Homeland Security has denied the reports. However, the protests quickly spread across the city, sparking violent clashes. Bloomberg reports that 118 people were detained in the Los Angeles area on immigration violations in a week, fueling anger in local communities.