Trump sends for the Marines

It's the one-liner that all US presidents are tempted to use: send for the Marines. The US Marine Corps is the ultimate symbol of heavyweight fighting power. They have saved the day for America on so many occasions in history. Now, however, Trump is sending hundreds of Marines to Los Angeles to quell the protests that have erupted in the city for days over immigration raids. Sending for the Marines to fight American citizens on the streets of one of America's most famous cities is not what former presidents had in mind when they turned to the Marine Corps for help. It was always to fight overseas. But, having deployed the National Guards to the streets of LA now Trump wants hundreds of Marines to join them. LA citizens must be thinking it's another Hollywood movie in the making. But not under Trump. He has always thought it was constitutionally ok to use the military against protesting Americans. But now he has done it, I suspect there will be many Republicans who will see this as a step far too far. If Marines kill protesters, there will be an outcry. It's a potentially dangerous move for democracy in the US. Let's hope it all calms down and the Marines can return to their barracks.