Instability in California: Pentagon deploys Marines, Governor strongly opposes.
The Pentagon will deploy active-duty Marine Corps units to help quell riots in Los Angeles, which erupted over the arrest of suspected illegal immigrants.
This move immediately drew strong criticism from the Governor of California, creating a tense confrontation between the federal and state governments.
The U.S. Northern Command announced on June 9 (local time) that approximately 700 Marines from the 1st Marine Division will assist in protecting "federal personnel and federal property in the greater Los Angeles area."
The Marine Corps will provide support to National Guard units. According to Reuters, the National Guard presence on the streets is expected to increase to 2,000 by June 11.
"We have a duty to protect federal law enforcement officers – even if Gavin Newsom doesn't," Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote on social media.
Later that day, June 9, the Pentagon announced that an additional 2,000 National Guard members would be deployed to support immigration agents and police.
Responding to this decision, California Governor Gavin Newsom sharply criticized President Donald Trump's action of deploying the Marines to confront protesters, calling it "un-American."
"They should not be deployed on American soil to confront their own people in order to satisfy the insane delusions of a dictatorial president," Newsom wrote on X.
Earlier, he had called on President Trump to withdraw the National Guard, arguing that the "illegal" deployment only escalated tensions and violated California's rights as a U.S. state.
Protests erupted on June 6 after immigration authorities arrested more than 40 people at a Home Depot parking lot and at the Ambiance Apparel clothing factory on suspicion of using "fake employee credentials." The marches, condemning President Trump's tough immigration policies, quickly escalated into looting and violent clashes with police.
Rioters set cars on fire and broke into shops, while police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds. According to news agencies, at least 56 people were arrested over the weekend.
President Trump condemned the "rebels" and vowed to defend law enforcement officers. "Such disrespect will not be tolerated!" the president wrote on his Truth Social platform.
During his campaign, Trump pledged to crack down on illegal immigration and increase deportations.
According to Axios, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller last week instructed immigration agents to increase their daily arrest quota from 1,000 to 3,000 people.
