About 700 infantry Marines have been authorized for deployment to Los Angeles to support the National Guard amid protests concerning immigration enforcement. The decision, made by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, escalated the troops' preparation status. The Marines are set to assist federal personnel and protect buildings. This move has stirred significant controversy, with concerns over the militarization of law enforcement and how soldiers trained for combat may engage with civilians. Lawmakers like Rep. Mike Levin have criticized the decision, deeming it an overreach of military power.
The Marines, a 1st Marine Division infantry battalion, will be kitted up similar to what the National Guard uses, but didn’t specify the actual weapons and vehicles.
Some are calling the deployment of Marines to assist with civil order an overreach of authoritarian power, raising concerns about militarizing law enforcement roles.
Rep. Mike Levin articulated deep concerns regarding the deployment, stating, 'Our Marines are trained for deadly combat, not law enforcement.'
As tensions escalate in Los Angeles due to immigration enforcement protests, nearly 700 Marines are readied for deployment to support armed National Guard units.
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