Jun 13, 2025 - Politics & Policy

U.S. military won't perform law enforcement at LA protests, Pentagon says

April Rubin

Two California National Guard members with shields — A flower is placed in front of members of the National Guard as they confront protesters in downtown Los Angeles on June 13. Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

The U.S. military will not be responsible for law enforcement at Los Angeles protests, the Pentagon said on Friday.

Why it matters: Nearly 5,000 National Guard members and Marines were deployed by the Trump administration in response to anti-immigration raid protests, despite disapproval from a plurality of Americans.

"As of today, we have had no soldier or Marine detain anyone," Maj. Gen. Thomas Sherman said during a Friday press briefing.
"They have watched federal law enforcement arrest personnel as they were protecting. They have not had to detain anyone at this point."

Yes, but: The Department of Homeland Security previously said National Guard troops have the authority to make temporary arrests in certain conditions at the protests.

Zoom in: Starting today, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines will be responsible for protecting federal property and personnel, Sherman said.

Those previously performing those duties will transition to providing protection to federal law enforcement officers as they conduct their responsibilities.
The National Guard members and Marines are trained in deescalation techniques and crowd control, he said.

What we're watching: An appeals court on Thursday night allowed Trump's deployment of California's National Guard to continue by pausing U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer's previous ruling.

Go deeper: Marines in LA as ICE protests spread to more U.S. cities: In photos

Add Axios on Google

U.S. military won't perform law enforcement at LA protests, Pentagon says

What to read next