WASHINGTON —

President Donald Trump deployed 700 Marines and 2,000 additional National Guard troops to Los Angeles on Monday to protect federal property amid ongoing protests against immigration raids.

The Pentagon is reportedly also drafting a memo with rules guiding the Marines' mission, including whether they can detain people and turn them over to police if they assault or harm troops.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth , who will testify before lawmakers on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, confirmed the deployment . Trump dismissed officials' concerns that the additional troops would escalate tensions in California.

"Thank goodness we sent out some wonderful National Guard," Trump said Monday at the White House. "They've really helped a lot of problems that we're having out there."

LA pol

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