Publication Date: June 10, 2025

Overview
On June 9, 2025, the Trump administration deployed approximately 700 U.S. Marines from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, based in Twentynine Palms, California, to Los Angeles to support National Guard troops amid protests against immigration enforcement operations.

This deployment, alongside 4,100 National Guard members, has raised concerns about the legal boundaries of military involvement in domestic operations, particularly regarding the use of force. On June 10, 2025,

CAPY News filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) to obtain the Rules for Use of Force (RUF) governing these Marines. The RUF, and Standing RUF, are distinct from Rules of Engagement (ROE). The RUF or SRUF guide when active-duty forces may employ deadly force when operating domestically in the United States.

Facts

• On June 9, 2025, NORTHCOM announced the deployment of 700 Marines to Los Angeles to protect federal property and personnel, including immigration agents, in response to protests.
• The Marines are operating under Title 10 authority, integrating with 4,100 National Guard troops, 2,100 of whom were deployed on June 8 and an additional 2,000 on June 9.
• The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 prohibits active-duty military from conducting domestic law enforcement unless authorized, such as through the Insurrection Act, which President Trump has not invoked.
• NORTHCOM stated the Marines are trained in de-escalation, crowd control, and RUF, with weapons unloaded but equipped with protective gear like helmets and shields.
• RUF govern domestic military operations, specifying when force, including deadly force, is permissible, typically limited to self-defense or imminent threats. SRUF are broader, standardized guidelines and may be what the U.S. Marines are operating under.
• Rule of Engagement (ROE) are often mission-specific and apply to overseas combat operations only, not domestic military operations in the U.S.
• On June 10, 2025, CAPY News submitted a FOIA request to NORTHCOM for the specific RUF governing the Marines’ deployment.

Perspectives

• U.S. Northern Command: The Marines’ mission is to protect federal personnel and property, integrating seamlessly with National Guard forces under Task Force 51. Their actions are guided by RUF emphasizing de-escalation and self-defense, ensuring compliance with federal law.
• California Governor Gavin Newsom: The deployment of Marines and federalized National Guard without state consent violates state sovereignty and inflames tensions. Newsom has filed a lawsuit, arguing the military presence is unconstitutional and unnecessary given local law enforcement’s capabilities.
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth: The deployment is necessary to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and federal buildings from violent protests. Hegseth asserts the military’s role is to ensure safety, not engage in law enforcement, unless conditions escalate.
• Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell: The arrival of federal forces without coordination poses logistical and operational challenges. The LAPD, experienced in managing large protests, prefers local control to avoid confusion and escalation.
• Brennan Center for Justice: Legal expert Elizabeth Goitein warns that using Marines for crowd control or detentions risks violating the Posse Comitatus Act, as no current statutory authority permits such actions without invoking the Insurrection Act.
• Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith: The deployed Marines lack arrest authority and are equipped for crowd control, not law enforcement. Their training ensures they protect federal assets while adhering to strict RUF guidelines.

Considerations

• The deployment of active-duty Marines in a U.S. city without state consent sets a precedent that could erode trust in federal-state relations.
• The Posse Comitatus Act’s restrictions highlight the need for clear legal frameworks to govern military involvement in domestic unrest.
• Public perception of military deployments in civilian settings may deepen societal divisions, especially amid polarized immigration debates.
• The FOIA request’s outcome could increase transparency about military operations, informing future policy on domestic use of force.
• Short-term escalation risks in Los Angeles could lead to broader national protests if military actions are perceived as overreach.
• Long-term, reliance on federal military forces for domestic issues may prompt legislative reforms to clarify or limit such deployments.
• The distinction between RUF, SRUF, and ROE underscores the complexity of applying military protocols in civilian contexts, requiring robust oversight.

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