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Fact check: Has the Marine Corps ever deployed troops from 29 Palms to Los Angeles for domestic operations?

Checked on June 11, 2025

1. Summary of the results

Yes, the Marine Corps has definitively deployed troops from 29 Palms to Los Angeles. Specifically, 700 Marines from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines based at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms were deployed [1] [2]. The deployment was ordered by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in response to protests and federal immigration raids [3]. The deployment was confirmed by multiple sources, including a Desert Sun photojournalist who observed buses and armed vehicles heading from Twentynine Palms to Los Angeles [4].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several crucial contextual elements were missing from the original question:

  • The deployment was highly controversial and unprecedented, raising significant legal concerns regarding the Posse Comitatus Act [1]
  • The action was taken against the wishes of local officials, including the Los Angeles mayor and California governor [5]
  • The Marines were specifically deployed to:
    • Defend federal property and personnel under "Task Force 51" [1]
    • Establish security perimeters [2]
    • Augment existing National Guard troops in the area [6]

  • The Marines were stationed across multiple facilities in the Greater Los Angeles area, including Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach [1]

    • 3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

    The original question's simplicity could lead to several misconceptions:

    • It doesn't address the legal and ethical implications of using military forces for domestic crowd control [5]
    • It fails to mention that this was not a standalone military operation but part of a larger response involving the Army National Guard [3]
    • The question's neutrality obscures the significant political tension between federal and local authorities regarding this deployment [5]

    Those benefiting from downplaying these aspects might include:

    • Federal authorities seeking to normalize military involvement in domestic operations
    • Those supporting stronger federal immigration enforcement measures
    • Those who prefer to minimize the controversial nature of using military forces against civilian protesters
    Want to dive deeper?
    What is the Posse Comitatus Act and how does it restrict military domestic operations?
    When has the U.S. military been legally deployed for domestic operations in California?
    What types of training exercises does Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms conduct?
    How close is Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton to Los Angeles and what operations do they conduct?
    What are the legal procedures for deploying military forces for domestic emergencies in the United States?
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