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Emigration and immigration

Pentagon Scrambles to Establish Rules for Marines in Domestic Law Enforcement Role

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Pentagon is facing a delicate situation as it deploys active-duty Marines to Los Angeles to support federal immigration agents amidst protests, raising questions about how they will use force against civilians on American soil. The 700 Marine troops, trained in combat and crisis response, will be armed but not carrying tear gas, and will have protective equipment. However, the use of force against civilians is governed by standing rules that still need to be established and agreed upon by Northern Command. The rules will outline when Marines can use force, including in self-defense, and when they must deescalate a situation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Pentagon is sending 700 active-duty Marines to Los Angeles to support federal immigration agents amidst protests.
  • The Marines will be armed but not carrying tear gas, and will have protective equipment such as helmets, shields, and gas masks.
  • The use of force against civilians on American soil is governed by standing rules that need to be established and agreed upon by Northern Command.
  • The rules will outline when Marines can use force, including in self-defense, and when they must deescalate a situation.
  • Warning shots are prohibited under the use-of-force draft documents reviewed by The Associated Press.
  • The Marines are directed to deescalate a situation whenever possible but also are authorized to act in self-defense.
  • The Pentagon is working on a memo with clarifying language for the Marines, which will outline the steps they can take to protect federal personnel and property.
  • The memo will also include specifics on the possibility that Marines could temporarily detain civilians if troops are under assault or to prevent harm.
  • The Insurrection Act, which allows the president to direct federal troops to conduct law enforcement functions in national emergencies, has not been invoked in this case.

Statistics:

  • 700 Marine troops are being deployed to Los Angeles to support federal immigration agents. (Source: U.S. Northern Command)
  • 2,100 National Guard soldiers are already responding to the protests in LA. (Source: U.S. Northern Command)
  • The 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines are coming from Twentynine Palms, California. (Source: U.S. Northern Command)
  • The Marines have been trained in deescalation, crowd control, and standing rules for the use of force. (Source: U.S. Northern Command)
  • Warning shots would be prohibited under the use-of-force draft documents. (Source: The Associated Press)
  • The Marines are authorized to use force in self-defense. (Source: U.S. Northern Command)

Sources:

  • The Associated Press
  • U.S. Northern Command
  • The Pentagon
  • The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law
  • Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
  • The Insurrection Act
  • The Posse Comitatus Act
  • The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution

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