Marines Detain Civilian in Los Angeles: First Incident Under Trump Deployment
The rare use of active-duty troops in a domestic setting ignites legal and political battles.
Los Angeles, 2025-06-14. Time.news Staff.
In a stunning turn of events, US Marines detained a civilian in Los Angeles on Friday, marking the first documented detention by active-duty troops deployed there under the orders of Donald Trump. The move has ignited a firestorm of controversy, sparking protests and legal challenges.
- US Marines detained a civilian in Los Angeles, the first such incident under the current deployment.
- The incident occurred amid protests over immigration raids and Trump’s deployment of troops.
- A federal judge has blocked the deployment, but the administration is appealing.
Did you know? Active-duty US Marines detained a civilian in Los Angeles on Friday, in the first known detention by active-duty troops deployed under Donald Trump’s orders. The situation unfolded amidst ongoing protests and a backdrop of legal and political turmoil.
The US military confirmed the detention, which took place on Friday. Marines were stationed at the Wilshire federal building, a rare deployment of US troops within the country, following days of protests related to immigration raids. Images from Reuters showed Marines apprehending a civilian, using zip ties to restrain him before handing him over to Department of Homeland Security personnel.
A spokesperson for the US military’s northern command clarified that active-duty forces “may temporarily detain an individual in specific circumstances.” They added that any temporary detention concludes once the individual is safely transferred to civilian law enforcement custody.
Approximately 200 US Marines arrived in Los Angeles on Friday morning. This followed Donald Trump’s decision to deploy National Guard troops to LA last weekend, despite the objections of California Governor Gavin Newsom. The Marines were tasked with protecting a federal building, according to US Army Maj. Gen. Scott Sherman, who commands the joint task force.
Protests and Curfews
The streets had been relatively calm overnight leading into Friday morning, which marked the seventh day of protests across various areas and the third day of an overnight curfew in a small part of the downtown area. The protests were a response to Trump’s actions on immigration.
The detained civilian, identified as 27-year-old army veteran Marcos Leao, stated that he was on his way to the Department of Veterans Affairs when he crossed a taped-off area and was stopped. Leao, who gained his US citizenship through military service, said he was treated “very fairly.” “They’re just doing their job,” Leao added, describing himself as being of Angolan and Portuguese descent.
Demonstrations have also taken place in cities, including New York, Chicago, Seattle, and Austin, against Trump’s mass deportation agenda. Millions more are expected to protest on Saturday at about 2,000 sites nationwide in a demonstration called “No Kings.” These protests are timed to coincide with a controversial military parade in Washington D.C., celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Army and, coincidentally, Trump’s 79th birthday.
Legal and Political Fallout
The deployment of the National Guard by Trump in Los Angeles, against Newsom’s strong objections, is a move not seen in the US for at least half a century. This has sparked a legal battle between the president and the governor.
Late Thursday, a federal judge ruled against the federal deployment of troops by the president to help with civilian US law enforcement in LA. The administration swiftly appealed, and a higher court paused the restraining order until Tuesday when it will hear the case. Judge Charles Breyer’s ruling in Newsom v Trump stated that Trump unlawfully bypassed congressionally mandated procedures.
Quick fact: Judge Charles Breyer ruled that Trump unlawfully bypassed congressionally mandated procedures in the troop deployment.
Newsom, in an interview with the New York Times podcast on Thursday, called Trump a “stone-cold liar” for claiming he had discussed a federal deployment with the governor via telephone. Democrats and advocacy groups see Trump’s deployment as an abuse of power, aimed at suppressing free speech and supporting aggressive anti-immigration policies.
Historical Context and Future Protests
Trump’s use of troops follows earlier, unfulfilled threats during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, when he considered, but ultimately declined, to deploy federal troops. He has since expressed regret about not cracking down more forcefully.
The president has defended his decision to send troops to LA, claiming without any evidence that the city would have been “obliterated” and “burned to the ground” had he not initiated the deployment. The “No Kings” protests aim to counter what is perceived as Trump’s authoritarian actions.
The parade in Washington, D.C., is billed as a patriotic celebration, while critics argue it’s more about Trump’s personal brand. The parade, inspired by a Bastille Day parade Trump witnessed in France in 2017, is expected to cost up to $45 million.
Some members of the National Guard, along with their families, have expressed discomfort with their mission, feeling it drags them into a politically charged domestic power struggle. “The sentiment across the board right now is that deploying military force against our own communities isn’t the kind of national security we signed up for,” stated Sarah Streyder of the Secure Families Initiative.
Amid the legal and political fallout, arrests have continued. Jose Manuel Mojica, a 30-year-old father of four, was charged with assaulting a federal officer during a protest in Paramount, a community in southern Los Angeles County. Alex Padilla, a Democratic US senator for California, was forcibly removed and handcuffed while attempting to ask a question at a press conference, a move that drew criticism from Democrats.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the deployment of US Marines in Los Angeles?
The deployment was initiated by Donald Trump in response to protests over immigration raids.
What legal actions have been taken regarding the deployment?
A federal judge ruled against the deployment, but the administration is appealing.
The US Military’s Role in Domestic Affairs: A Deep Dive
The role of the United States military within the country is a complex and often debated topic. Recent events, particularly the deployment of US Marines in Los Angeles in June 2025, have brought this issue to the forefront once again. The US military’s involvement in domestic affairs is generally limited, with specific legal frameworks governing when and how it can be deployed within the United States.
Core Explainer: The posse Comitatus Act
The Posse Comitatus Act, enacted in 1878, generally prohibits the use of the U.S.Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps for domestic law enforcement purposes. The intent was to limit the federal government’s power and prevent the military from being used to enforce domestic policies, especially in the aftermath of the Reconstruction era. This act serves as the primary check on military involvement in domestic affairs. However, its crucial to note exceptions do exist.
The primary exception to the Posse Comitatus Act is when authorized by the Constitution or an Act of Congress. The Insurrection Act of 1807,for example,gives the president the authority to deploy federal troops domestically in certain situations,such as to suppress insurrection or to enforce federal laws when state authorities are unable or unwilling to do so. Another instance includes natural disasters and other emergencies, where the military may provide assistance, like the National Guard.
Legal and Political Framework
The deployment of the National Guard and active-duty military forces within the U.S. is subject to a complex legal and political landscape. States generally retain primary responsibility for law enforcement, with the federal government’s role being limited. The Insurrection act grants the president the authority to deploy troops within the U.S. under specific circumstances. Deployments are frequently enough met with legal challenges and political opposition.
The recent incident of Marines detaining a civilian in Los Angeles highlights the controversial nature of these deployments and raises questions about the line between military and civilian law enforcement roles. This has ignited legal battles and protests, questioning the exercise of said authority.
The Posse Comitatus Act generally restricts the use of the U.S. military for domestic law enforcement, even though exceptions exist, like the Insurrection Act. The Insurrection act allows presidential deployment of federal troops under certain conditions, such as to suppress insurrection or enforce federal laws when state authorities falter.
The 2025 Los Angeles Deployment: A Case Study
In June 2025, the deployment of US Marines to Los Angeles by then-President Donald Trump marked a significant event. Even though national Guard troops were deployed the previous weekend,the subsequent presence of active-duty Marines signified a rare instance of federal military personnel being used in a domestic setting. The stated purpose of the deployment was to protect federal buildings during protests, but the detention of a civilian triggered immediate controversy.
The deployment was met with immediate opposition from state and local officials. A federal judge blocked the deployment, with the administration appealing the decision. Protests erupted in Los Angeles and other cities as the incident fueled the debate over the military’s role in domestic affairs. The civilian, an army veteran, being detained was a primary focus in the news.
The 2025 Los Angeles deployment sparked protests and legal challenges, highlighting how the military’s domestic role generates controversy. Deployments like these are frequently enough viewed as an overreach of federal power, potentially infringing on civil liberties.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Posse Comitatus Act?
The Posse Comitatus Act is a U.S. law that generally prohibits the use of federal military forces for domestic law enforcement purposes.
When can the military be deployed domestically?
The military can be deployed domestically under specific circumstances authorized by the Constitution or an Act of Congress, such as the Insurrection Act, or during natural disasters.
What was the context of the Los angeles deployment in June 2025?
The deployment in Los Angeles was ordered by President Trump amid protests and civil unrest,with the Marines tasked with protecting federal buildings.
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