Governor raises questions over mobilisation of marines
Governor Gavin Newsom's office has raised questions over the mobilisation of marines in Los Angeles.
We reported earlier - see our 21.09 post - on the reports that marines were being readied for use after the unrest in recent days.
The governor's office said: "From our understanding, this is moving Marines from one base to another base."
It claimed, contrary to some reports, that the marines were being mobilised and not deployed.
"The level of escalation is completely unwarranted, uncalled for, and unprecedented 鈥� mobilizing the best in class branch of the US military against its own citizens," it added.
Deployment vs mobilisation?
Mobilisation is different from full deployment.
So it doesn't remain clear if the marines will actually hit the streets of LA immediately, or remain on standby.
Our US partner NBC News understands that the marines have not yet left the 29 Palms base.
They are expected to begin moving to Camp Pendleton as early as tonight.
Democratic criticisms
Many of the Democratic criticisms they have thrown towards Donald Trump have accused the US president of sending an unneeded and uncalled-for force into LA.
They say he has inflamed the situation on the ground and made things worse.
More extreme criticisms have characterised this as an invasion, while leading state politicians have said it is an abuse of power.