For the first time in decades, active-duty US Marines have been deployed to Los Angeles—not for disaster relief or training, but to guard federal buildings amid a crackdown on protests. This action has raised widespread public concern and renewed debate about the limits of federal military power within the United States.

The current deployment, ordered by President Donald Trump, involves more than 700 Marines from the 1st Marine Division. They were mobilized to protect federal buildings and personnel after mass protests erupted in response to aggressive immigration raids in the city. The President also federalized up to 4,000 California National Guard troops, overruling objections from state officials and sparking a legal battle. A district judge initially ruled the federal takeover was illegal and ordered troops returned to state control, but that decision was stayed by a federal appeals court pending further hearings.

Protests began in the immigrant-rich neighborhood of Westlake, near downtown Los Angeles, following ICE raids targeting day laborers. The demonstrations turned tense after police declared an unlawful assembly and began dispersing crowds with batons, tear gas, pepper spray, and flash-bang grenades—injuring both protesters and journalists. More widespread protests are anticipated throughout Los Angeles and at roughly 2,000 locations nationwide.

While federal law grants the president broad emergency powers, those powers are not unlimited. Without formally invoking the Insurrection Act—a law that authorizes military intervention in cases of rebellion or large-scale civil rights violations—federal troops, including the Marines, remain under strict restrictions. By law and Department of Defense policy, they cannot make arrests, perform surveillance, engage in crowd control, or otherwise act as law enforcement. Their role is strictly supportive.

According to Pentagon directives, deployed troops are barred from:

  • Arresting civilians
  • Searching property
  • Collecting evidence
  • Conducting surveillance on US persons (including people, vehicles, locations, and activities)
  • Serving as undercover agents, informants, or interrogators
  • Conducting forensic investigations, unless directly related to military personnel or property

Exceptions exist only in the case of “extraordinary emergency,” in which military commanders may act immediately to prevent widespread destruction or restore essential public services—provided presidential approval is not possible.

Although the Marines receive little training for civil unrest—unlike the National Guard, which often prepares for crowd control—those sent to LA were trained in de-escalation techniques and are accompanied by legal and law enforcement experts.

There are some areas where the military can assist civilian police, such as sharing information obtained during regular duties or providing technical advice. However, any assistance must not involve law enforcement activities unless specifically authorized by law.

Legal experts warn that these current deployments, if they overstep legal boundaries, could set a dangerous precedent by normalizing military involvement in domestic affairs and undermining constitutional safeguards for civil liberties.

As protests and tensions continue, questions about the military’s role in handling civil unrest—and the legal limits anchoring that role—remain more relevant than ever.

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Source: https://www.wired.com/story/what-marines-national-guard-can-cant-do-la-protests/