With protests continuing in Los Angeles in reaction to ICE raids and arrests, a U.S. official has confirmed that 700 Marines stationed in California have been ordered to provide assistance. They are expected to arrive in the next 24 hours.
The Marines being deployed are from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines located at Twentynine Palms, California. On Sunday, U.S. Northern Command had indicated that these Marines were on alert, ready to deploy if the Department of Defense required their assistance.
Just before the deployment was made official, President Donald Trump was asked by ABC News about the possibility of sending Marines to Los Angeles. He responded, “We’ll see what happens.”
“I mean, I think we have it very well under control,” Trump said. “I think it would have been a very bad situation. It was heading in the wrong direction. It’s now heading in the right direction.” -ABC News’ Luis Martinez and Karen Travers
National Guard is armed but no bullets in chamber
The National Guardsmen on active duty in Los Angeles are carrying weapons but don’t have rounds in the chamber, and they aren’t using rubber bullets or pepper spray, according to a U.S. official.
The Rules of Force that they are operating under call for them to de-escalate any incidents as much as possible, two U.S. officials said. They also have the right to self-defense.
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