U.S. military authorities deployed Marine Corps personnel to Los Angeles (LA) on the 9th (local time) to suppress a protest against illegal immigration enforcement.

According to CNN, the U.S. Northern Command stated in a statement that it mobilized a Marine infantry battalion that had been on alert over the weekend to support the protection of federal personnel and property in the LA area. A Marine infantry battalion typically consists of about 700 personnel.

The Marines deployed to LA are part of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment located in Twentynine Palms, California. The Marine Corps is tasked with the mission of protecting federal property and personnel.

On the 8th, in Los Angeles, California, demonstrators burn vehicles during an anti-immigration protest. /Courtesy of Yonhap News

A senior official from the Ministry of National Defense told Newsweek that it plans “not to play a role in enforcing the law forcibly.”

According to U.S. law, military force cannot be used to enforce the law on the U.S. mainland unless President Trump invokes the Insurrection Act.

The Insurrection Act grants the president the strong authority to deploy federal troops domestically in the event of a riot or insurrection. However, it is politically difficult to invoke because it deprives constitutionally guaranteed rights.

Vice President JD Vance is firing weapons during a visit to the Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia in March. /Courtesy of Yonhap News

Earlier, President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard on the 7th to suppress the LA protests.

The National Guard force currently deployed at the protest site is reported to be about 300 personnel, with plans to increase to 2,000 by the 11th.

According to Fox News, President Trump commented on the LA protests that he believes they will be “very easily controlled,” adding, “It was a bad situation, and (the protests) were going in a bad direction. Now it's moving in the right direction.”

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that the deployment of the Marines was unilaterally decided despite opposition from California Governor Gavin Newsom. Governor Newsom opposed the deployment of the Marines, saying that federal government intervention infringes on California's sovereignty.

The Governor's spokesperson's office stated on social media that “this level of escalation is completely unwarranted and unnecessary and unprecedented.”