As the military presence ramped up in Los Angeles, communities are preparing for the largest protests against Trump since he took office.

Local police deployed pepper spray and non-lethal munitions late Saturday afternoon in Los Angeles as the "No Kings" protest there began to devolve into a more confrontational event.

By Brad Brooks, Jorge Garcia, Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -U.S. Marines were deployed to Los Angeles on Friday, the military said, in a rare domestic use of its forces after days of protests over immigration raids and as nationwide demonstrations were expected on Saturday,

After a week of protests over federal immigration raids, about 200 Marines have moved into Los Angeles to guard a federal building and personnel in the city.

All traffic has been halted on a portion of the 101 freeway in Los Angeles as protesters walk on the freeway, according to Los Angeles Police Department. Both northbound and southbound lanes have been impacted, officials said. "101 freeway between Alameda and the 110 freeway is closed due to demonstrators walking onto the freeway," police said.

The Trump administration escalated its response to anti-deportation protests in Los Angeles with the mobilization of 700 Marines who will join thousands of National Guard troops, moves that are ratcheting up tensions with Democratic leaders.

Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) slammed California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) for his handling of the Los Angeles protests that have ignited over the Immigration and Customs Enforcement

More than 700 Marines based out of the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in California have been mobilized to respond to the protests in Los Angeles, and the troops will join the thousands of National Guard members who were activated by President Donald Trump over the weekend without the consent of California’s governor or LA’s mayor.

The Pentagon is scrambling to establish rules to guide U.S. Marines who could be faced with the rare and difficult prospect of using force against citizens on American soil, now that the Trump administration is deploying active duty troops to the immigration raid protests in Los Angeles.

In an exclusive interview with Meet the Press, Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) condemns President Trump’s call to send the National Guard and Marines into Los Angeles amid protests and criticizes the forceful removal of fellow California Sen.