The commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Eric Smith, said the battalion deployed to Los Angeles is already there and ready to follow the orders from the U.S. Northern Command but clarified they have not yet been called to respond.
Smith testified at a budget hearing before senators that those Marines are trained for crowd control, and they would have shields and batons as their equipment. He said they have no arrest authority and are only there to protect federal property and federal personnel.
When asked by Sen. Richard Blumental, D-Conn., about the danger that Marines would use lethal force that could result in injuries and deaths, Smith said he had faith in them.
"I am not concerned. I have great faith in my Marines and their junior leaders and their more senior leaders to execute the lawful tasks that they are given."
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