Almost Half Of Americans Disapprove Of Trump Admin's Deployment Of Marines To L.A., Poll Shows

Close to half of Americans (47%) disapprove of the Trump administration's decision to deploy Marines to Los Angeles to respond to protest against immigration enforcement operations, a new poll shows.

The survey in question was conducted by YouGov on June 10 among 4,309 adults. It also showed that 34% of respondents approve of the move, while the remaining 19% were not sure.

Americans held similar views on the deployment of National Guard soldiers to the area: 45% disapproved, while 38% favored the decision and 17% said they weren't sure.

However, views regarding the protest themselves painted a different picture. 45% of respondents disapproved of them, while 36% approved and a remaining 19% said they weren't sure.

Moreover, respondents were largely divided on their assessment of how protesters were showing their discontent. 38% said they were mostly peaceful, but a similar amount (36%) believe they were mostly violent. A remaining 26% said they weren't sure.

Some 700 Marines and 2,000 National Guard troops have been deployed to Los Angeles to respond to protesters. In this context, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem reportedly asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to have the military make arrests, a move that would go against the Posse Comitatus Act, which prevents the U.S. military from conducting civilian law enforcement unless authorized by Congress.

The request, reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, took place one day before the Trump administration announced the deployment of the 700 Marines.

The letter in questions requests the Pentagon to give "direction to DoD forces to either detain, just as they would at any federal facility guarded by military, lawbreakers under Title 18 until they can be arrested and processed by federal law enforcement, or arrest them." The official also asked for "drone surveillance support," as well as weapons and logistics assistance.

Experts interviewed by the outlet said the Trump administration could be moving to circumvent laws preventing the military from civilian law enforcement by invoking the Insurrection Act. The last time the Insurrection Act was used was in Los Angeles in 1992 during the riots that followed the Rodney King beating and trial. Back then, Governor Pete Wilson requested military aid from President George H.W. Bush.

Noem added that law enforcement agents from ICE, CBP and FPS need support "as they defend against invasive, violent, insurrectionist mobs that seek to protect invaders and military aged males belonging to identified foreign terrorist organizations, and who seek to prevent the deportation of criminal aliens."