U.S. Marines armed with semi-automatic rifles were deployed across parts of Los Angeles on Friday as tensions mount ahead of nationwide protests against President Donald Trump’s controversial immigration crackdown.
The deployment, part of a large-scale federal operation ordered by Trump, has drawn sharp criticism from civil rights groups and political opponents, who accuse the president of using military force to suppress dissent.
Troops in fatigues were spotted outside a federal building far from the main protest zones, raising public concern. “Is this really necessary?” asked RonNell Weaver, a bystander. “Taxpayer dollars could be used for other things.”
AFP reporters witnessed Marines detaining one civilian at the site, later handing him over to local law enforcement. The military has not provided details on the incident, which appears to be a rare case of troops briefly holding a U.S. civilian.
The operation includes 700 Marines and 4,000 National Guard members tasked with guarding federal infrastructure. Local police remain responsible for handling protest crowds sparked by immigration raids targeting undocumented migrants.
The protests are expected to peak Saturday, coinciding with Trump’s planned military parade in Washington, D.C., marking the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary—and his 79th birthday. The event will feature tanks and other heavy military equipment not seen in the capital for over 30 years.
In response, a “No Kings” movement has planned demonstrations in over 2,000 locations nationwide, including a large rally in Los Angeles featuring a 20-foot balloon depicting Trump in a diaper.
“This could bring unprecedented crowds,” said LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell. Sheriff Robert Luna urged protestors to remain peaceful. “We support the cause but condemn violence,” he stated.
Mayor Karen Bass echoed the call for calm. “We encourage peaceful protest. Do not give authorities an excuse to escalate.”
Legal Battle Over Military Deployment
President Trump overrode California Governor Gavin Newsom’s objections to deploy the state’s National Guard, claiming violence in Los Angeles would spiral without federal intervention. However, a federal court ruled the deployment illegal on Thursday.
Judge Charles Breyer stated that the unrest did not meet the threshold of “rebellion,” as claimed by Trump. The ruling temporarily handed control of the National Guard back to Newsom. A higher court has paused the decision pending a hearing set for Tuesday.
The Department of Justice criticized the ruling, calling it “an extraordinary intrusion on the President’s constitutional authority.”
Growing Public Outcry
Public anger continues to rise over immigration raids and the presence of armed federal agents. About 100 demonstrators gathered Friday outside a federal detention center in downtown L.A., defying a city-imposed curfew.
Meanwhile, attendees of nearby theater events, including a performance of Hamlet, were granted curfew exemptions—an ironic twist noted by observers.
Protests have also erupted in cities like San Francisco, Chicago, New York, and San Antonio. Tensions escalated Thursday when Democratic Senator Alex Padilla was handcuffed and forcibly removed from a press event by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
