Tensions are escalating between President Donald Trump and California Gov. Gavin Newsom as protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement continue to grip Los Angeles and spread to New York City, San Francisco, Boston, Austin, Texas, and other cities.
Trump deployed about 4,000 National Guardsmen and 700 Marines to LA against Newsom's wishes.
A federal appeals court Thursday delayed an order requiring the Trump administration to return control of the National Guard to Newsom, dealing the administration a temporary reprieve to what would have been a major reversal of its policy on the protests.
Defense comptroller says estimated costs for deployment is $134M
Bryn MacDonnell, the special assistant to the secretary of defense who serves as the agency's comptroller, testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense that the costs for deploying the Marines and National Guard to Los Angeles was an estimated $134 million. "Which is largely just [temporary duty] cost: travel, housing, food, etc.," she explained.
When asked by Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., for more details and where the money was coming from, MacDonnel said, "their own accounts."br/>
California National Guard troops stand guard as people attend a rally against federal immigration sweeps, in Los Angeles, California, June 9, 2025.
David Ryder/Reuters
Jun 10, 2025, 10:59 AM EDT
700 Marines had in 'excess of 2 hours' of crowd control training
Gen. Eric Smith, the commandant of the Marine Corps, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the 700 Marines being sent to Los Angeles received crowd control training in Twentynine Palms, California.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., expressed his doubts about the use of combat-trained units domestically, saying he was "deeply worried" that their deployment increased the risk of lethal force possibly being used.
Smith said he’s not concerned, adding, "I have great faith in my Marines."
Smith said the Marines -- who are equipped with shields and batons -- do not have arrest authority but will be providing support to law enforcement protecting federal property and personnel.
Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., asked Smith if he knew how much crowd control training Marines receive. Smith said he didn't have the precise number but said it was "in excess of two hours," calling it "a standard annual training in the use of non-lethal means."
Slotkin noted that the police forces on the street receive 600 hours of crowd control training.
-ABC News’ Luis Martinez
Jun 10, 2025, 10:46 AM EDT
Hegseth won't say cost of sending Marines, National Guard to LA
During Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s testimony on Capitol Hill, Rep. Betty McCollum, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, asked the cost of sending Marines and the National Guard to Los Angeles and what resources were being taken away by the move, but Hegseth repeatedly did not answer the question.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attends a House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee oversight hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., June 10, 2025.
Annabelle Gordon/Reuters
Hegseth said ICE “has the right to safely conduct operations in any state and any jurisdiction in the country," and drew comparisons to the 2020 George Floyd protests.
"ICE ought be able to do its job, whether it's Minneapolis or Los Angeles," he said.
"We have deployed National Guard and the Marines to protect [ICE] in the execution of their duties, because we ought be able to enforce integration immigration law in this country," he said.
McCollum insisted the Marines aren’t trained for a domestic mission but Hegseth insisted they were.
-ABC News’ Ivan Pereira and Anne Flaherty
Jun 10, 2025, 6:32 AM EDT
More than 100 arrested Monday, Mayor Bass says
More than 100 people were arrested on Monday night in Los Angeles, as "fringe groups" continued late-night protests, City of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said.
"What we're seeing downtown is just horrible, but you know that the majority of people that attended the protest this afternoon were peaceful," Bass told ABC News' KABC station in a phone interview late Monday night.
Members of law enforcement detain people as protests against federal immigration sweeps continue, in downtown Los Angeles, California, U.S. June 9, 2025.
Aude Guerrucci/Reuters
She said the more-violent protesting and vandalism were happening "late at night," adding that she assumed violent protests weren't being led by people supporting immigrants, but rather by "fringe groups."
"It's my understanding that over 100 people have been arrested tonight, the majority of them for unlawful assembly," she said.
Members of law enforcement detain a person as protests against federal immigration sweeps continue, in downtown Los Angeles, California, U.S. June 9, 2025.
Aude Guerrucci/Reuters
She said each of those who were arrested would be "evaluated," including checking to see whether they have active warrants.
"But, again, this has nothing to do with the protests that happened earlier this afternoon," Bass said. "That was a protest -- fighting for the rights of immigrants and calling for the raids to stop."