Los Angeles: A tense standoff unfolded Saturday in downtown Los Angeles as around 50 U.S. Marines stood guard outside a federal building, confronting a crowd of hundreds of demonstrators calling for their withdrawal.
The Marines had been deployed earlier in the week by President Donald Trump, alongside federalized California National Guard troops, despite strong objections from Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles city officials. The move came amid mounting public anger over recent immigration raids that drew thousands into the streets.
At the forefront of the protest, attorney Jesus Arias addressed the Marines through a bullhorn, urging them to reconsider their orders.
“We are not your enemy — we are the people!” he shouted. “You are betraying your oath. Wake up!”
Local leaders, including Governor Newsom, have denounced the deployment as a provocative escalation during what have largely been peaceful demonstrations. On Friday, the L.A. County sheriff confirmed that 99% of recent protests were nonviolent, with only isolated incidents of unrest.
President Trump authorized the mobilization of 700 Marines from within California, emphasizing their role in crowd control and de-escalation. The decision has sparked widespread debate, as critics argue the military's involvement in domestic affairs is inappropriate — especially given the Marines’ primary role in international combat.
The federal building at the center of the standoff, the Roybal facility, hosts immigration offices and has become a focal point for protests. Marines, equipped with M4 rifles, face shields, and protective gear resembling that worn by baseball catchers, stood atop the building's entrance steps. Just 15 feet away, protesters gathered in large numbers, chanting “Marines go home!” and “Shame!”
Despite heated rhetoric from some demonstrators and calls for the Marines to join the protest or kneel in solidarity, the service members remained unmoved. As of late afternoon, no clashes or violent incidents had been reported.
“This is heartbreaking,” said Kai Ly, a 45-year-old local resident. “To see Marines standing against American citizens — it shows how fractured we’ve become.”
Another protester, 36-year-old Antoinette Gutierrez, expressed deep frustration.
“It’s shameful,” she said. “The military is supposed to defend us, not be used against us. I feel ashamed to be an American today.”
President Trump, who has made immigration enforcement a central issue of his administration, defended the decision by claiming his intervention prevented greater chaos in the city.
