Some Los Angeles officials fear Marines' 'rules of force'

President Trump’s deployment of thousands of troops and Marines to Los Angeles is fueling concern that they have not been properly trained to interact with civilians.

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s deployment of thousands of troops including 700 active-duty Marines to Los Angeles to quell protests is fueling concern that the Marines have not been properly trained for interacting with civilians, including children, during potentially tense law enforcement operations.

One of the duties of the Marines and National Guard troops will be to provide security for Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel as they conduct immigration raids in the Los Angeles area, according to officials with knowledge of the operation and court filings. National Guard troops and Marines will transport ICE agents to and from raids and secure neighborhood perimeters while ICE agents conduct operations.

California Democrats argue that this violates the Posse Comitatus Act, an 1878 law that bars federal troops from participating in civilian law enforcement efforts. California Attorney General Rob Bonta argued in a court motion on Tuesday that the Trump administration’s deployment violates that law.

“The federalized National Guard and active-duty Marines deployed in Los Angeles will engage in quintessential law enforcement activity in violation of the PCA,” the motion said, referring to the Posse Comitatus Act. “Defendants will create a substantial likelihood that the military will physically confront, detain, or search civilians whom they perceive are posing a security threat, thereby actively executing civil laws.”

A military official with knowledge of the operation told NBC News that the Marines would not conduct arrests and would only transport and guard ICE agents. They said that these activities would not violate the Posse Comitatus Act.