The Marines will defend federal property and personnel, rather than operating law enforcement operations, according to an Army general.

This week marks a jarring collision of the military and civilian relationship, one that has traditionally remained carefully apolitical. It's a week bookended by two high-profile events, both steeped in Trump-era symbolism.

Trump issued a memo to deploy troops to areas where protests are occurring or "likely to occur," which may allow forces to operate in other cities.

"He's going to try and call martial law," said longtime California Congresswoman Maxine Waters of Trump amid his military deployment in LA.

Sen. Jack Reed brought up the situation in Los Angeles and questioned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about the administration's use of National Guardsmen and Marines to deal with the protests.

Sen. Alex Padilla was removed from a Los Angeles news conference by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, while a federal judge weighed the merits of military deployments on Thursday.

"If he can successfully militarize LA without significant political consequences, Baltimore is next," said Angela Angel of BLM PAC.

The California governor said the president had no right to send thousands of military troops to Los Angeles amid ICE protests.