U.S. President Donald Trump ordered active-duty Marines into Los Angeles. He warned that demonstrators protesting immigration arrests would face harsher consequences than before.

Nearly 700 Marines will be added to the thousands of National Guard troops already stationed in the city. This decision is likely to increase tensions in the largely Latino neighborhoods.

Governor Slams the Move

California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned Trump’s action, calling it “deranged.” On X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “US Marines have served honourably across multiple wars in defence of democracy. They shouldn’t be deployed on American soil facing their own countrymen to fulfil the deranged fantasy of a dictatorial President. This is un-American.”

Violence in LA Sparks Deployment

Trump’s decision came after violent protests rocked downtown Los Angeles on Sunday. Protesters set vehicles on fire and looted shops. Police responded with rubber bullets and tear gas.

Speaking from Washington, Trump blamed the unrest on “professional agitators and insurrectionists.”

On social media, he said he had sent the National Guard “to deal with the violent, instigated riots.” He claimed, “if we had not done so, Los Angeles would have been completely obliterated.”

Trump also alleged that protesters had spat at military personnel. He added, “I promise you they will be hit harder than they have ever been hit before. Such disrespect will not be tolerated!”

Mixed Reactions on the Ground

While many criticized the heavy military presence, some local business owners supported the tough measures.

A small business owner whose shop was covered in graffiti said, “I think it’s needed to stop the vandalism.” She chose not to reveal her name.

“Everybody has the right to protest, but do it the right way. Don’t vandalise or hurt your own town because you’re hurting people who are trying to make a living,” she told.