Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ignited a firestorm of criticism Monday night after confirming that approximately 700 active-duty U.S. Marines will be deployed to Los Angeles, citing threats to federal law enforcement officers and government buildings.
The decision comes amid intensifying protests in the city, triggered by recent large-scale immigration raids conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which resulted in over 100 arrests. Tensions escalated further following the arrest of David Huerta, president of California’s Service Employees International Union (SEIU), during a demonstration last Friday.
While President Donald Trump authorized the deployment of the National Guard over the weekend, his move faced pushback from California Governor Gavin Newsom. Hegseth’s latest announcement has added fuel to an already volatile situation.
“Due to increased threats to federal law enforcement officers and federal buildings, approximately 700 active-duty U.S. Marines from Camp Pendleton are being deployed to Los Angeles to restore order,” Hegseth posted on X. “We have an obligation to defend federal law enforcement officers – even if Gavin Newsom will not.”
Newsom, who has consistently criticized federal intervention in state affairs, responded harshly. He posted photos of deployed troops without proper accommodations and said, “Here they are — being forced to sleep on the floor, piled on top of one another. If anyone is treating our troops disrespectfully, it is you @realDonaldTrump.”
Members of Congress quickly joined the chorus of criticism. Rep. Pat Ryan (D-NY) lashed out at Hegseth’s decision, calling it “a bulls—, bad-faith argument… A total amateur clown who’s in way over his head. Every soldier knows it is wrong – AND FUNDAMENTALLY UNAMERICAN – to deploy active duty US troops against US citizens.”
Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) warned of long-term consequences, stating, “Deploying 700 Marines on U.S. soil against the will of local leaders and law enforcement is a dangerous abuse of power… Trump’s escalation today not only weakens Americans’ trust in their own freedoms of speech and protest but trust in what our military stands for.”
S.V. Dáte of HuffPost noted the contrast with former Defense Secretary Mark Esper, writing, “When Trump wanted his defense secretary to order soldiers to shoot Americans back in 2020, Mark Esper told him no. This time, Trump has a solid ‘yes’ man in that job in Pete Hegseth.”
Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, echoed those concerns in an interview with MeidasTouch Network. “To have someone like Hegseth say that he’s going to put the Marines on the streets of America, that’s really dangerous… Governor Newsom going to court is exactly what he should be doing,” she said.