Hegseth Orders U.S. Marines on Alert Amid Unrest in Los Angeles

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced late Saturday that U.S. Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton are now on high alert as violent mobs continue to rage across Los Angeles, attacking federal agents and undermining the rule of law.

The decision follows President Donald Trump's activation of the Insurrection Act of 1807, authorizing the deployment of National Guard troops to the city after mobs clashed with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers during what federal authorities describe as “coordinated, cartel-fueled riots.”

“The violent mob assaults on ICE and Federal Law Enforcement are designed to prevent the removal of Criminal Illegal Aliens from our soil,” Hegseth posted on X. “This is a huge NATIONAL SECURITY RISK. Under President Trump, violence & destruction against federal agents & federal facilities will NOT be tolerated. It’s COMMON SENSE.”

Hegseth confirmed the immediate mobilization of National Guard units to aid in restoring order. He also warned that active duty U.S. Marines may be deployed next if the chaos continues to escalate.

• The Posse Comitatus Act normally prevents use of federal troops for domestic law enforcement.

• However, the Insurrection Act serves as a legal override when rebellion or obstruction makes normal enforcement “impracticable.”

• Trump’s move is rooted in Article I of the Constitution, giving Congress and the president authority to use military force to “repel invasions” and suppress domestic insurrection.

Los Angeles has been spiraling out of control for days, with left-wing protest groups launching coordinated attacks on ICE buildings, border patrol checkpoints, and law enforcement staging areas. Multiple agents have been injured. Protesters, many of them waving foreign flags and anarchist symbols, have vandalized federal buildings, burned American flags, and blocked emergency response teams.

Federal intelligence officials say the unrest is being fueled by cartel-linked activists and foreign-backed extremist groups that are exploiting illegal immigration to destabilize U.S. cities.

“This isn’t just a protest. This is a direct assault on national sovereignty and the ability of federal officers to uphold the law,” a senior law enforcement source told reporters. “President Trump is treating it exactly as he should as an organized threat, not a spontaneous demonstration.”

Meanwhile, California’s Democratic leadership from Gov. Gavin Newsom to L.A. Mayor Karen Bass has largely stood on the sidelines, refusing to condemn the mob violence and accusing Trump of “militarizing immigration enforcement.”

But Americans are fed up.

According to a 2024 Rasmussen survey, 68% of voters believe state and local leaders have failed to maintain public safety in sanctuary cities. Another 58% support using the military to restore order when local officials refuse to act.

Under President Trump’s directive, federal agencies will not allow anarchists and cartel collaborators to overrun our cities or threaten our agents. Los Angeles may be burning today, but help is already en route.

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