VETDEMS CONDEMN UNLAWFUL DEPLOYMENT OF U.S. MARINES AGAINST CIVILIANS ON AMERICAN SOIL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 9, 2025

Hundreds of Marines mobilizing to Los Angeles | KTLA

The Commander of the Veterans Democratic Club of San Diego County condemns the Trump Administration’s directive to the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security authorizing the mobilization of U.S. Marines to intimidate American citizens and immigrant communities peacefully exercising their 1st Amendment rights in Los Angeles, CA.

“Use of the military to suppress free speech is unconscionable and dangerously demolishes the critical line between the military duty to defend the nation and civilian law enforcement officers’ duty to maintain public safety.” Said Will Rodriguez-Kennedy, elected President and Commanding Officer in January. “This is the type of tyrannical act that you might expect to see in foreign dictatorships but not here in the United States. It dishonors the oath every servicemember takes to uphold the constitution and violates federal law.”

Vet Dems of San Diego calls on:

● President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to rescind the orders, stand down, and vow to never again use our military to oppress the American people and immigrant communities.

● The U.S. Congress and the Judicial Branch to uphold the law and enforce the Constitution and the Posse Comitatus Act in the face of this unprecedented erosion of the People’s rights.

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The mission of VETDEMS San Diego is to support the ideals of the Democratic Party by creating space for veterans of the United States Armed Forces, their families, and supporters.

Will Rodriguez-Kennedy is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps who deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom.