Marines in downtown Los Angeles stood firm at their posts despite facing heated protests from crowds demanding their withdrawal, showcasing military discipline amid controversy over their deployment to guard federal buildings during immigration operations.
At a Glance
- More than four dozen Marines refused to leave their post despite protesters chanting “Marines go home!” outside federal buildings in Los Angeles
- President Trump deployed Marines and National Guard troops to Los Angeles following unrest related to ICE operations, despite opposition from Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass
- Marines maintained discipline during protests, with no physical altercations or injuries reported among service members
- Service members have privately expressed dissatisfaction with the deployment, feeling they’re being used as “political pawns”
- Ten Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies were injured during protests, but no Marine injuries were reported
Marines Hold Ground Despite Intense Protests
Marines deployed to federal buildings in downtown Los Angeles remained steadfast at their posts despite facing vocal protests from demonstrators opposing their presence. The Marines, stationed at the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building, which has become a focal point for protests against immigration enforcement operations, maintained their positions while protesters chanted “Marines go home!” and “Shame! Shame!” Los Angeles attorney Jesus Arias led the demonstrations, urging the Marines to abandon their posts and claiming they were violating their oaths of service. Despite the verbal confrontations, no physical altercations were reported between protesters and military personnel.
The Marines were equipped with protective gear designed to shield them from potential projectiles like rocks and fireworks, though none were reportedly used against them at this location. Additional Marines were also deployed to guard the Federal Building on Wilshire Boulevard, where similar protests occurred but no violence was reported.
The disciplined response of the Marines, who refrained from engaging with protesters despite the heated rhetoric directed at them, demonstrated their adherence to their assigned mission of maintaining security at federal facilities.
Hundreds of US Marines arrived in the Los Angeles area under orders from President Trump, as the city's mayor declared a curfew for parts of the downtown area and police arrested 197 people in a fifth day of street protests. Follow our live coverage: https://t.co/CIeuZKfJrs
— Reuters (@Reuters) June 11, 2025
Trump’s Deployment Decision Sparks Political Tension
The deployment of Marines and National Guard troops to Los Angeles occurred under direct orders from President Donald Trump, who insisted the military presence was necessary to prevent the city from “burning to the ground” amid unrest related to immigration enforcement operations. This decision was made without the consent of California Governor Gavin Newsom, creating significant tension between federal and state authorities. Both Governor Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass opposed the deployment, expressing concerns that the military presence could escalate tensions and potentially provoke additional violence rather than quell it.
“The sentiment across the board right now is that deploying military force against our own communities isn’t the kind of national security we signed up for,” said Sarah Streyder of the Secure Families Initiative, which represents military families and veterans.
Despite their public silence due to military regulations prohibiting service members from speaking out on political matters, reports from advocacy groups and family members indicate significant dissatisfaction among the troops. The National Guard and Marines were primarily assigned to guard buildings and federal law enforcement convoys, with limited direct involvement in crowd control operations. This deployment stands in stark contrast to previous National Guard missions in California, which have focused on wildfire relief, COVID-19 vaccination support, and other community assistance efforts.
BREAKING: The LAPD and other agencies are aggressively clearing the streets of downtown LA, where protestors had pushed up against police lines. Crowds were pushed away from the federal building by police, some of whom were on horses.https://t.co/J4OUzEAm7g pic.twitter.com/5zR0spuf5B
— ABC News (@ABC) June 14, 2025
Service Member Morale and Safety Concerns
Behind the stoic faces of the Marines standing guard in Los Angeles, concerns about morale have emerged through various channels. While service members are legally prohibited from speaking publicly about their assignments, reports from family members and advocacy organizations suggest widespread discomfort with the domestic policing role. The military deployment has raised questions about the appropriate separation between military forces and domestic law enforcement functions, with critics pointing to different training standards and operational objectives between the two.
“Among all that I spoke with, the feeling was that the marines are being used as political pawns, and it strains the perception that marines are apolitical,” said Janessa Goldbeck, a former Marine captain.
While the Marines at federal buildings maintained their composure without incident, other protests in downtown Los Angeles turned violent, with projectiles thrown at police officers leading to the use of tear gas and rubber bullets. Ten Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies sustained injuries during the week of protests, highlighting the volatile nature of the situation. Notably, no injuries were reported among the Marine contingent, indicating their success in maintaining security perimeters around federal properties without direct confrontation with protesters.
