LA Security Boosted by Marines as US Cities Brace for 'No Kings' Protests

U.S Marines work next to members of the California National Guard outside of a federal building, Friday, June 13, 2025, in Los Angeles (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

By  NEWS BLEND 360

Updated 11:33 PM EDT, June 13, 2025

LOS ANGELES (NB360) — Following a week of protests against federal immigration raids, approximately 200 Marines arrived in Los Angeles on Friday to secure a federal building in the city. Meanwhile, communities nationwide are preparing for an expected wave of large-scale demonstrations against President Donald Trump’s policies this weekend.

The Marines, equipped with combat gear and rifles, took over certain posts from National Guard members who were deployed to the city after protests erupted last week. These protests led to numerous others across the country over several days, some resulting in clashes with police and hundreds of arrests.

On Friday, Marines began replacing Guard members safeguarding the federal building west of downtown, allowing Guard soldiers to be reassigned to protect law enforcement officers during raids, according to the commander overseeing 4,700 troops deployed to the LA protests.

The Marines entered Los Angeles ahead of Saturday’s planned nationwide “No Kings” demonstrations against Trump’s policies, coinciding with a military parade in Washington, D.C.

The Marines’ arrival also came a day after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily blocked a federal judge’s order that had directed Trump to return control of Guard troops to California. The judge had ruled the Guard deployment was illegal, violated the Tenth Amendment, which defines the power between state and federal governments, and exceeded Trump’s statutory authority. The judge did not rule on the presence of the Marines.

Military mission

This week, approximately 2,000 National Guard troops were sent to Los Angeles. Hundreds of them have been providing protection to immigration agents during arrests. Earlier this week, an additional 2,000 Guard members were informed of their deployment.

Maj. Gen. Scott Sherman, who commands Task Force 51 and oversees the 4,700 combined troops, stated that none of the military troops will be involved in detaining individuals. However, the Marines temporarily detained a man on Friday afternoon who had entered the property and did not immediately comply with their commands to stop. He was later released without charges.

About 500 National Guard members have been utilized to provide security during immigration raids. They have undergone expanded instruction, legal training, and rehearsals with the enforcement agents before participating in these missions.

When asked about collaborating with the Marines, Los Angeles police Chief Jim McDonnell stated he "wouldn’t call it coordination" but mentioned that he and the county sheriff were on a call with senior military leadership on Thursday to establish communication lines in case collaboration is needed.

Federal law prohibits active-duty forces from engaging in law enforcement activities.

By Friday mid-afternoon, over a dozen Marines were positioned outside the 17-story Wilshire Federal Building. They appeared to be primarily checking tickets from members of the public who were there to renew their passports.

The federal building is the same location where Democratic U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla was forcibly removed from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s news conference on Thursday and handcuffed by officers as he attempted to speak out about the immigration raids.

Los Angeles Metro police on horseback disperse protesters on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

No protesters were present near the building. Every now and then, a driver passing by would shout from their window, expressing a blend of anger and support for the military's presence.

A man shouts into a megaphone outside City Hall during protests over federal immigration enforcement raids on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

California vs. Trump

California Governor Gavin Newsom has described the troop deployment as a “serious breach of state sovereignty” and an attempt by Trump to seize power, prompting him to take legal action to halt it. The president has referenced a legal provision that permits him to deploy federal troops in the event of “a rebellion or danger of a rebellion against the authority of the Government of the United States.”

A federal judge ruled late Thursday that the situation in Los Angeles does not qualify as a rebellion and ordered the return of control of the Guard to California, although the appeals court prevented this from taking effect on Friday. Trump expressed gratitude to the appeals court on his Truth Social platform Friday morning.

“If I hadn’t sent the Military into Los Angeles, that city would be burning to the ground right now,” he stated.

The court will conduct a hearing on the issue Tuesday.

The Trump administration has labeled the city a “war zone,” a claim disputed by local authorities. Recent protests have involved a few hundred participants who marched through downtown, chanting, dancing, and mocking the Trump administration's depiction of the city.

Approximately 500 arrests have occurred since Saturday, primarily for not leaving the area when requested by law enforcement, according to police. There have been a few more serious charges, including assaulting officers and possession of a Molotov cocktail and a gun. Nine officers have sustained injuries, mostly minor.

An 8 p.m. curfew is enforced in a 1-square-mile (2.5-square-kilometer) section of downtown, while the city of Los Angeles covers roughly 500 square miles (1,295 square kilometers). Protests have concluded after a few hours with arrests mainly for failing to disperse. Mayor Karen Bass stated Friday that there is no set end date for the curfew yet.

As the curfew began Friday, occasional motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians passed by the federal building and the troops stationed there. Residents living in the curfew zone and commuting to and from work are exempt from the curfew.

‘No Kings’

The “No Kings” demonstrations are scheduled in nearly 2,000 locations nationwide, according to the movement’s website.

Protesters are loaded onto Los Angeles Police Department buses during a protest on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

A major march and rally is planned for Philadelphia, but there are no protests scheduled in Washington, D.C., where the military parade will occur. Organizers state that participants aim to reduce any potential conflicts.

States face questions on deploying troops

Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott has placed 5,000 National Guard members on standby in cities with planned demonstrations. In other states led by Republicans, governors have not specified when or how they might deploy troops.

A group of Democratic governors issued a statement labeling Trump’s deployments as “an alarming abuse of power.”

Military parade

The military parade in Washington will include concerts, fireworks, NFL players, fitness competitions, and exhibits throughout the National Mall for all-day festivities. The celebration on Saturday also coincides with Trump’s birthday.

The Army anticipates up to 200,000 attendees and estimates that organizing the celebration will cost between $25 million to $45 million.

Saturday also marks Flag Day, commemorating the adoption of the U.S. flag in 1777.

California Democratic state Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas turned an American flag on her desk upside-down in protest of the federal immigration crackdown in Los Angeles during a Friday legislative session honoring the holiday.

“What is happening in this country, what is happening in my city makes me feel distressed as an American,” said Smallwood-Cuevas, who represents downtown Los Angeles.

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