The U.S. military is set to temporarily deploy about 700 Marines to Los Angeles while additional National Guard troops arrive in the city, a U.S. official told Reuters on Monday.
About 300 California National Guard troops were deployed to the streets of Los Angeles on Sunday to help quell a third day of protests over President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement, a step Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom called unlawful.
The official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said a battalion of Marines — generally a range of 300 to 1,200 — would be sent, but for now, the Insurrection Act is not expected to be invoked.
The Pentagon said Sunday that 500 Marines from 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines at 29 Palms, California, were in a prepared to deploy status. It's unclear if the additional 200 also deployed from there. The Wall Street Journal and CNN reported Monday that around 500 Marines were being deployed.
Marines will not engage with protesters. Instead, the Journal reported they will help protect federal buildings and personnel. The Marines are under the U.S. Northern Command.
The Marines are expected in Los Angeles by Monday night, the Journal reported.
The number of National Guard troops is expected to rise to 2,000 by Wednesday and until then, the Marines are expected to provide support.
The official added the situation was fluid and could change.
While the U.S. military cannot perform law enforcement activities inside the United States without invoking the Insurrection Act, the Pentagon often is called to respond to national crises, from the border mission to disaster relief to health emergencies. For example, during the pandemic, the U.S. military set up temporary hospitals.
This story has been updated. Newsmax contributed to this report.