U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has reportedly directed the deployment of 700 Marines—primarily from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines based at Twentynine Palms, California—to Los Angeles. The Marines are expected to serve in a support capacity until more federalized forces from the California National Guard arrive. However, questions remain about the legal basis for their deployment, as President Trump has not yet invoked the Insurrection Act.