Elected officials from Southern California said the presence of troops served to escalate the climate of fear and unrest in their cities.

The request from Homeland Security, confirmed by a Defense official, also seeks “drone surveillance support,” direction to troops on detaining or arresting “lawbreakers,” and graduates from an organization like the Marines’ School of Advanced Warfighting School for setting up a joint operation center.

During a subcommittee hearing, Democratic Rep. Pete Aguilar of California pressed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about President Donald Trump’s decision to mobilize the National Guard and deploy Marines to help quell protests in Los Angeles.

Police made a handful of arrests on the second night of the curfew in downtown Los Angeles as mayors urged the Trump administration to withdraw the military and stop the immigration raids.