US Military Says 500 Marines Are ‘Prepared to Deploy’ to Los Angeles

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s earlier ‘high alert’ comment drew sharp criticism from California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

A Marine CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter flies during training at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego on Feb. 6, 2024. K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune via AP

U.S. military officials confirmed Sunday that around 500 Marines are “prepared to deploy” if necessary to quell unrest in Los Angeles in recent days, coming as the National Guard was deployed in the city.

U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) said that the Marines would be sent from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, which is based out of the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, California.