As thousands of people gather in downtown Los Angeles, Police Chief Jim McDonnell called the deployment of hundreds of U.S. Marines a “critical logistics and operational challenges” for a fourth day demonstration against widespread immigration crackdown in Southern California.
The deployment of federal forces comes shortly after President Trump, who unilaterally turned the California State Guard into federal government. This has been criticized by Gov. Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass.
At a press conference Sunday evening, Prime Minister McDonnell told reporters that LA County law enforcement has a long history of working with law enforcement and would have experienced many other options, including mutual aid before requesting security assistance.
In a statement released this afternoon, the police chief said the addition of the US Marines would further complicate the ability of law enforcement to handle the demonstrations.
“The arrival of federal troops in Los Angeles is without clear coordination – presenting important logistics and operational challenges for us in charge of protecting this city. The Los Angeles Police Department, along with mutual aid partners, has decades of experience managing large-scale public demonstrations, and we are confident in our ability to carry out professionally and effectively. “That being said, our number one priority is the safety of both the masses and executives on the ground. We are urging an open and ongoing line of communication between all agencies to prevent disruption, avoid escalation, and ensure a legal and orderly response coordinated at this critical time.”
A photo shared by the US Northern Command shows Marines making their journey from Twentin Palms to Los Angeles on June 9, 2025, when the Marines were mobilized to support federal agents clashing with anti-ice protesters. The June 9, 2025 protestors (US Northern Command/Doctor of Defense) LA Chief Jim McDonnell was seen at a press conference on June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) Officers will descend the ramp to the 101 Highway near the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, June 8, 2025, following last night’s immigration attack protests. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) File – May 3, 1992, File Photo, members of the California National Guard 18th Calvary Squadron stand during a deployment in the South Central during the 1992 riot in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Joe Marquette, File) Protesters denounce President Trump and the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency in downtown Los Angeles on Monday, June 9, 2025. (AP Photo Jae Hong) Protesters waving the Mexican flag on a vehicle near the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles on Monday, June 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) Thousands of demonstrators will be seen outside a federal building in Los Angeles on June 9, 2025. A vehicle in Los Angeles, California, USA, Sunday, June 8, 2025. Despite objections from state and city officials, President Donald Trump’s deployment of National Guard forces over the weekend led to increased friction between local leaders and the administration. Photographer: Kyle Grillo/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Newsom continues to criticize Trump’s administration’s tactics, posting photos on X (formerly Twitter), a National Guard sleeping on the floor in an unknown location.
“You sent your troops here without fuel, food, water, or a place to sleep,” Newsom said in a post aimed at the president. “Here we are – we are forced to sleep on the floor, stacked up on each other. If someone is rudely treating our army, then it’s you.”
Just a few hours later, Newsom said in X that he had been informed that Trump was sending 2,000 more security guards despite those already deployed “not being used in federal buildings without orders.”
LA drivers go on high-speed run amid violent downtown protests
“This isn’t about public safety, it’s about stroking the ego of a dangerous president,” Newsom said. “This is reckless. It’s pointless and rude to our army.”
On his part, President Trump said he believes that Ice’s acting director, Tom Homan, should arrest Newsom while speaking to reporters outside the White House on Monday.
It is unclear where hundreds of Marines will be deployed and where the US and National Guard will remain in Los Angeles.
Since June 7, LA police have arrested 50 people, with 29 on Saturday and 21 on Sunday, with charges ranging from attempted murder of police officers to looting and once again unsuccessful disbandment.
City leaders and law enforcement officials are preparing for another night with the possibility of violent demonstrations.
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