About 700 active duty U.S. Marines will bolster the 2,100 federalized National Guard troops “protecting federal personnel and federal property in the greater Los Angeles area,” read an email from U.S. Northern Command spokeswoman Col. Kelly Frushour on June 9. Some have speculated that this is a feature of the growing feud between President Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell on June 9 called for open communications between all law enforcement agencies. McDonnell complained that there has been no “formal notification” to local authorities that the Marines have been activated. McDonnell said that this lack of clear coordination “presents a significant logistical and operational challenge for those of us charged with safeguarding this city.”
