LAPD Isn’t Happy About Trump Sending Marines to LA
So, here’s what’s going on. President Trump has sent 700 US Marines to Los Angeles. The reason? To try and control protests that started after 44 people were arrested for immigration violations last Friday. That’s a big move, and not everyone’s on board with it — especially the LAPD. They’re not too thrilled about the military suddenly showing up without warning.
On top of that, Trump also sent more National Guard troops. Around 2,000 were already there from the weekend, and now he’s doubled that number to 4,000. But here’s the thing: local officials and even California’s governor, Gavin Newsom, didn’t agree with this decision at all.
Why LAPD Thinks This Could Cause More Problems
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell made it pretty clear — the city wasn’t even officially told about the Marines coming in. That’s a big deal because handling protests is tricky, and adding military troops without proper coordination can make things worse. He said the department has lots of experience handling big protests peacefully, and bringing in federal forces could just complicate everything.
He also pointed out that every agency — police, military, National Guard — trains differently. And in situations like protests, even small misunderstandings can turn things ugly really fast. The LAPD wants open communication so that things don’t spiral out of control.
Marines in LA? That’s Rare and Risky
It’s not normal to see Marines walking the streets of a US city. The last time it happened was during the 1992 LA riots after the Rodney King verdict. Back then, there was looting, fires, and people died. It was chaotic, and yes — the National Guard and Marines were called in, but it was done in coordination with local leaders.
This time feels different. The protests right now are mostly peaceful. And unlike the ’92 riots, the mayor, the LAPD, and the governor didn’t ask for the military. That makes the situation feel more like an occupation than support. And honestly, that’s what a lot of people are worried about — that this could go very wrong, very fast.
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A Real Example of Confusion: The 1992 Mix-Up
There’s a story from the 1992 riots that really shows why coordination matters. During a tense moment, a police officer told Marines “cover me,” which for police means “watch my back, but don’t shoot.” But for the Marines, it meant “start firing.” They ended up shooting over 200 rounds at a house. Luckily, no one was killed, but three kids were inside. That’s how different training can lead to disaster.
Now imagine that kind of confusion today — without proper communication — in a protest full of civilians. That’s what the LAPD is worried about.
Legal Questions Around Trump’s Decision
People are also questioning if Trump even had the legal right to send the Marines like this. Normally, to deploy military forces in the US, the president needs to invoke the Insurrection Act. That hasn’t happened yet, at least not publicly. He did use a different federal law to send the National Guard, but for the Marines, it’s a little murky.
Governor Newsom has already filed a lawsuit against Trump and the Secretary of Defense, calling it an “illegal takeover” of the National Guard. He says only 300 of the 2,000 troops sent were even used — and that many of them didn’t have food or water. Some were just sitting around in buildings without any orders.
Are the Protests Really That Out of Control?
Honestly, no. At least not based on what people are seeing on the ground. Protests in LA have stayed mostly peaceful. On Monday, unions held rallies in downtown LA — and National Guard soldiers mostly just stood around. They didn’t step in, didn’t break anything up.
Even though more than 50 people were arrested over the weekend, it wasn’t anything like a violent riot. That’s what makes all of this feel like overkill to many. You’ve got federal troops being sent in as if LA is under siege, when really, people are just out there using their right to protest.
