U.S. President Donald Trump is sending 700 U.S. Marines to Los Angeles in addition to more than 4,000 members of the National Guard to quell demonstrations and riots.

Crowds took to the streets in protest of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who descended on Los Angeles to arrest unregistered immigrants.

The decision to call in the National Guard despite the protests of California Governor Gavin Newsom was made, according to the President, to stop the violence.

Trump claimed had it not been for the action taken, Los Angeles would be “burning,” like it was during the wildfires earlier this year.

“All I want is safety,” Trump told reporters today in the Oval Office. “In this case they (LA Police) were trying their best, they were unable to handle it.”

Trump is also contemplating invoking the Insurrection Act if necessary.

“How will you determine whether or not there is an insurrection?” a reporter asked Trump. “Well just take a look at what’s happening,” the President responded. “I can tell you there were certain areas of Los Angeles that you could have called it an insurrection. It was terrible.”