The Pentagon has placed active-duty Marines on alert as violent ICE protests spiral out of control in Los Angeles, raising fears of a full-scale military deployment on U.S. soil.
At a Glance
- Anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles have turned into widespread rioting
- President Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops without state consent
- Defense Secretary says Marines will deploy if Guard forces can’t contain unrest
- Clashes have injured civilians, reporters, and police amid rising violence
- Governor Newsom condemned the federal response as illegal and provocative
Marines on the Edge
In a stunning escalation, U.S. Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton are now on high alert and ready to deploy into Los Angeles if National Guard forces fail to contain the violence. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has framed the situation as a “national security risk,” citing evidence of cartel involvement and warning of imminent federal action. If enacted, the deployment would mark one of the rare instances in modern history of active-duty military personnel operating in an American city during civil unrest.
Watch a report: National Guard Deployed to Los Angeles Amid ICE Riots.
Urban Warfare Fears Rise
What began as protests against ICE immigration raids exploded into citywide chaos, with rioters torching self-driving cars, smashing federal property, and shutting down major freeways. The LAPD declared downtown Los Angeles an “unlawful assembly zone” after three nights of mayhem that left dozens injured, including two foreign journalists struck by non-lethal projectiles.
Overwhelmed law enforcement turned to the National Guard, deployed under a rarely used federal provision. President Trump authorized the move without the consent of California Governor Gavin Newsom, who called it “an illegal, immoral, and unconstitutional act”.
Despite the Guard’s presence, the violence has continued. Protesters hurled Molotov cocktails, rammed police vehicles, and looted businesses across downtown. National Guard troops have been assigned to defend federal buildings, including an ICE detention center that has become a focal point of the demonstrations.
The Threat of Full Military Mobilization
With local and Guard forces struggling to reassert control, the Pentagon’s signal that Marines could soon enter the fray marks a chilling turning point. The last time Marines were deployed to suppress civil unrest on U.S. soil was in 1992 during the Los Angeles riots—an episode still etched into the city’s memory.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stressed a “zero tolerance” policy for violence against federal officers, leaving open the possibility of further action. Governor Newsom has threatened to challenge the deployment in court, setting the stage for a volatile legal and political clash.
Meanwhile, immigrant rights groups like LULAC warn that military escalation will only inflame tensions. With related protests erupting in San Francisco and reports of coordinated actions in other cities, California could be on the brink of a broader security crisis. Whether the Marines are deployed may depend not on politics, but on what unfolds in the streets over the next 48 hours.
