Following orders from President Donald Trump, Marines deployed to Los Angeles have not yet been called upon to address the city's immigration protests. The Marine Corps commandant clarified that their presence is solely to safeguard federal property.

On Monday, 700 Marines and 2,000 National Guard troops were dispatched to LA, a move that local officials and Governor Gavin Newsom disapprove of. Marine Corps Gen. Eric Smith confirmed that the battalion has not engaged in any protests, emphasizing their role in protecting government assets and personnel.

Trump increased the number of Guard troops deployed after the initial 2,000 arrived, responding to demonstrations fueled by dissatisfaction with the president's immigration policies. While protests persisted on Monday, they were notably more peaceful, with a significant gathering at City Hall and smaller demonstrations outside a federal complex housing detained immigrants.

Protests in Los Angeles have been concentrated in downtown areas, with guard troops stationed outside the detention center. Despite concerns raised by Mayor Karen Bass and Newsom, who criticized the military presence as unnecessary, law enforcement authorities assert that they can manage the situation without additional support.

Newsom condemned the deployments as reckless and disrespectful to the troops, questioning the motives behind the decision. The protests began following a series of immigration-related arrests in the city, leading to clashes with law enforcement and subsequent demonstrations.

Protests spread to other cities like San Francisco, Santa Ana, Dallas, and Austin, reflecting a broader opposition to the immigration raids. California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit challenging the deployment of National Guard troops, alleging that Trump overstepped his authority.

Despite the Marines' presence, interactions with protesters have been limited, with local law enforcement primarily handling crowd control. The deployment marks a significant escalation in response to the ongoing immigration protests.