U.S. Marines arrive in Los Angeles, temporarily detain Army veteran
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Marines temporarily detain man while guarding LA federal building
U.S. Marines have temporarily detained a man after he walked onto the property of a federal building. The man, Marcos Leao, was later released without charges and said the Marines were just doing their jobs. The brief detention marked the first time federal troops have detained a civilian since they were deployed to the nation’s second-largest city by President Donald Trump. The Marines were activated earlier this week but began their duties Friday in Los Angeles, where they are stationed with 2,000 members of the National Guard. The use of the active-duty forces still raises difficult questions, a former Marine Corps. prosecutor and military judge said.. The Pentagon scrambled to establish rules to guide Marines who could be faced with the rare and difficult prospect of using force against citizens on American soil.
By JAKE OFFENHARTZ Associated Press , LOLITA BALDOR Associated Press , and JULIE WATSON Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — Shortly after they began guarding a Los Angeles federal building Friday, U.S. Marines detained a man who had walked onto the property and did not immediately hear their commands to stop.
The brief detention marked the first time federal troops have detained a civilian since they were deployed to the nation’s second-largest city by President Donald Trump in response to protests over the administration’s immigration arrests. The Marines were activated earlier this week but began their duties Friday.
The man, Marcos Leao, was later released without charges and said the Marines were just doing their jobs.
A U.S. Army North spokesperson said the troops have the authority to temporarily detain people under specific circumstances. He said those detentions end when the person can be transferred to “appropriate civilian law enforcement personnel.”
Leao’s detention shows how the troops’ deployment is putting them closer to carrying out law enforcement actions. Already, National Guard soldiers have been providing security on raids as Trump has promised as part of his immigration crackdown.
Leao, a former Army combat engineer, said he was rushing to get to a Veterans Affairs appointment when he stepped past a piece of caution tape outside the federal building. He looked up to find a Marine sprinting toward him.
“I had my headphones in, so I didn’t hear them,” Leao said. “They told me to get down on the ground. I basically complied with everything they were saying.”
Leao was placed in zip ties and held for more than two hours by the Marines and members of the National Guard, he said. After Los Angeles police arrived, he was released without charges, he said. A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department said they responded to a call at the scene but weren’t needed, and no charges were filed.
“I didn’t know it was going to be this intense here,” he said later.
A U.S. official told the AP that a civilian had stepped over the line. He was warned they would take him down and they did, according to the official, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter.
About 200 Marines out of the 700 deployed arrived in the city Friday, joining 2,000 members of the National Guard that have been stationed outside federal buildings this week in Los Angeles. Another 2,000 Guard members were notified of deployment earlier this week.
Before the unusual deployment, the Pentagon scrambled to establish rules to guide U.S. Marines who could be faced with the rare and difficult prospect of using force against citizens on American soil.
The forces have been trained in de-escalation, crowd control and standing rules for the use of force, the military has said.
But the use of the active-duty forces still raises difficult questions.
“I believe that this is an inevitable precursor of things yet to come when you put troops with guns right next to civilians who are doing whatever they do,” said Gary Solis, a former Marine Corps. prosecutor and military judge.
He said it’s an example of Trump’s attempt to unravel the Posse Comitatus Act, which bars active-duty forces from conducting law enforcement.
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Watson reported from San Diego and Baldor from Washington.
US Marines make first detention in LA as more protests expected
U.S. Marines deployed to Los Angeles made their first detention of a civilian on Friday. It was part of a rare use of military force to support domestic police and coming ahead of national protests over President Donald Trump’s military parade in Washington. Marines and National Guard deployed in Los Angeles are assigned to protect federal property and personnel. They may temporarily detain people, but they are required to turn them over to civilian law enforcement for any formal arrest. About 1,800 anti-Trump demonstrations planned for Saturday in opposition to the Washington military parade that marks the 250th anniversary of the U.s. Army and coincides with Trump’s 79th birthday. In Los Angeles, sheriff says fewer than 1% of demonstrators causing harm have been charged with assaulting people with assault. In New York, police say they have arrested more than 1,000 people in connection with a series of immigration raids over the past week. In Washington, police have arrested about 1,500 people in relation to the immigration raids, but no arrests have been made.
Item 1 of 15 U.S. Marines detain a person outside the Wilshire Federal Building after Marines were deployed to Los Angeles, as protests against federal immigration sweeps continue, in Los Angeles, California, U.S. June 13, 2025. REUTERS/Aude Guerrucci
Summary
Companies Marines detain man for nearly two hours, hand him over to DHS
Some 1,8000 anti-Trump demonstrations planned for Saturday
LA County sheriff says fewer than 1% of demonstrators causing harm
LOS ANGELES, June 13 (Reuters) – U.S. Marines deployed to Los Angeles made their first detention of a civilian on Friday, part of a rare use of military force to support domestic police and coming ahead of national protests over President Donald Trump’s military parade in Washington.
The detention of a the man, a U.S. Army veteran and an immigrant who obtained U.S. citizenship, punctuated a series of highly unusual events that have appealed to Trump supporters but outraged other Americans who are demonstrating discontent in the streets.
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Trump ordered the Marines to Los Angeles in response to street protests over immigration raids, joining National Guard forces already deployed to the city over the objection of California’s governor. Trump said troops were necessary to quell the protests – a contention that state and local officials dispute.
About 1,800 protests are scheduled across the U.S. on Saturday in opposition to the Washington military parade that marks the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and coincides with Trump’s 79th birthday.
Both the military parade and domestic use of active duty troops are uncommon for the United States, as was the military detention of a U.S. citizen on American soil. It was also unusual when federal agents forcibly removed and handcuffed a U.S. Senator on Thursday as he interrupted a press conference by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Trump has thrived politically on unconventional tactics.
But Democratic opponents are starting to push back. Fifteen protests are expected in Los Angeles alone, Mayor Karen Bass said, urging people to remain peaceful.
“We are here today because the raids have caused fear and panic,” Bass said, joined by two dozen elected officials to oppose the raids and military presence. “Can the federal government come in and seize power from a state and from a local jurisdiction? How much will the American people put up with?”
About 200 Marines were assigned to protect the Wilshire Federal Building in Los Angeles, part of a battalion of 700 Marines sent to support the National Guard, said Army Major General Scott Sherman, who is in command of both the National Guard and Marine forces.
The Marines and National Guard deployed in Los Angeles are assigned to protect federal property and personnel and may temporarily detain people, but they are required to turn them over to civilian law enforcement for any formal arrest.
ARMY VETERAN DETAINED
Reuters witnessed Marines detain one person at the Wilshire Federal Building. Reuters images showed Marines restraining his hands with zip ties and then handing him over to civilians from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) nearly two hours later.
U.S. military confirmed the detention after being presented with Reuters images, in the first known detention by active duty troops.
The detained man, Marcos Leao, 27, an immigrant and a U.S. Army veteran, said after he was released that he was told to get on the ground upon venturing into a restricted area, as he crossed a line of yellow tape to avoid walking around the building.
Leao, who said he is Portuguese and Angolan and became a U.S. citizen through the military, said he complied with all commands and that the Marines apparently mistook him for a protester when he simply had business with the Veterans Administration office inside the building.
“They treated me very fairly,” Leao said, adding that he was told, “Understand, this is a whole stressful situation for everybody, and we all have a job.”
Asked about the incident, the U.S. military’s Northern Command spokesperson said active duty forces “may temporarily detain an individual in specific circumstances,” and that the detention would end when the person is transferred to civilian law enforcement.
DHS referred press queries to the Northern Command.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles demonstrations continued for an eighth straight day, after they were sparked last Friday by a series of immigrations raids.
The demonstrations have been concentrated in the downtown area, and fewer than 1% of those present have caused problems, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said.
Some people have been charged with assaulting a police officer, looting, or damaging property.
There was a “big difference” between legitimate protesters and “people who are coming out to cause problems,” Luna said at a press conference in which law enforcement officers said they welcomed peaceful protests on Saturday but warned they would arrest those who harm others or damage property.
Bass implemented a curfew over one square mile (2.5 square km) of the downtown area, which officials said has been useful for maintaining order.
Bass said there was “no termination date” for the curfew.
“We are hoping that if the cause of the turmoil ends, which is stopping the raids, then I can almost guarantee you the curfew will go away in short order,” Bass said.
Reporting by Omar Younis, Brad Brooks, Sebastian Rocandio, Arafat Barbakh, Rollo Ross and Alan Devall in Los Angeles and Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali in Washington; Writing by Costas Pitas and Daniel Trotta; Editing by Mary Milliken, Mark Porter, David Gregorio, Rod Nickel, Sandra Maler and Raju Gopalakrishnan
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Law enforcement preps for ‘No Kings Day’ protests; Marines stand guard outside LA federal building
Groups are calling for an end to mass deportations. They are using non-violent tactics to get the word out. “We the People” is the name of the campaign, organizers say. The campaign is called “We The People” by the U.S. Center for Nonviolent Social Change. It is a non-profit that works with people in need of housing, food, shelter and health care. The group’s website is: http://www.wethepeople.org.
Several groups gathered Friday afternoon at La Plazita Olvera in downtown Los Angeles, calling the raids “a moral and spiritual issue.” Friday marked one week of increased demonstrations in L.A., crisis response and for many, grief.
In response to the ICE raids across Los Angeles, labor and immigrant rights groups are launching what they’re calling a “Summer of Resistance,” a rapid response effort to oppose the raids and mass deportations.
“What we have lived through and witnessed in the past few days is terrorism against our community,” said Martha Arévalo, the executive director of the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN). “We have witnessed kidnappings of our community.”
The 30-day campaign centers on non-violent tactics, including fasting, prayer, art, and know-your-rights training sessions.
“The campaign is rooted in tactics from the civil rights to the farm worker movement, and that’s why we’re here as a united front,” said Vladimir Carrasco with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles.
The groups gathered against an art installation of the U.S. Constitution, brought in by a collective of artists.
“The ‘We the People,’ for me, is a reminder of where our power is, and who this country is supposed to exist for,” said Bill Moyer, the executive director of the Backbone Campaign, a nonviolent movement-building organization that uses creative tactical tools and artful activism. “I feel like it’s intensely important for people who have tools to show up with those tools.”
Meanwhile, members of United Teachers Los Angeles expressed their support for students and families that have been impacted by the raids.
“My father was deported when I was a teenager, and so I know a lot of my students are going through the same thing,” said one member.
Attendance counselors said they want families experiencing fear to know there are resources in schools.
“Please come to the schools and ask to speak with the attendance counselor, because we can help you find and refer us for housing, immigration, food, mental health support,” said Sofia Ryan, a child welfare and attendance counselor.
US Marines make first known detention of civilian in LA ahead of nationwide protests
US Marines deployed to Los Angeles made their first detention of a civilian on Saturday. It is part of a rare domestic use of its forces sent to the city after days of protests over immigration raids. A Marine suddenly jumped over some benches and across a garden area to chase after a man, grabbed him and held him down until another Marine assisted him. The detained man, Marcos Leao, 27, an immigrant and a US Army veteran, said he was told to get on the ground after venturing into a restricted area, as he crossed a line of yellow tape. The last time the military was used for direct police action was in 1992, when the California governor asked then-president George HW Bush to invoke the Insurrection Act.
The Marines joined National Guard forces already deployed to Los Angeles ahead of nationwide demonstrations expected on Saturday in what may be the biggest backlash to President Donald Trump since he returned to power.
The Trump administration has authorised a total of 700 Marines to be deployed in the city. It is uncommon for active-duty troops to be used domestically during civil disturbances.
Reuters news agency witnessed Marines detain one person at the Wilshire Federal Building, where the Marines had been posted. A Marine suddenly jumped over some benches and across a garden area to chase after a man, grabbed him and held him down until another Marine assisted him.
Images showed Marines restraining his hands with zip ties and then handing him over to civilians from the Department of Homeland Security nearly two hours later.
US military confirmed the detention, in the first known detention by active duty troops.
The detained man, Marcos Leao, 27, an immigrant and a US Army veteran, said he was told to get on the ground after venturing into a restricted area, as he crossed a line of yellow tape to avoid walking around the building.
Speaking to reporters after he was released, Leao said he was an Army veteran on his way to an office of the Department of Veterans Affairs when he crossed the yellow tape boundary and was asked to stop.
Leao, who said he is Portuguese and Angolan and became a US citizen through the military, said he complied with all commands and that the Marines apparently mistook him for a protester when he simply had business with the Veterans Administration office inside the building.
“They treated me very fairly,” Leao said, adding that he was told, “Understand, this is a whole stressful situation for everybody, and we all have a job.”
The last time the military was used for direct police action was in 1992, when the California governor at the time asked then-president George HW Bush to invoke the Insurrection Act to help respond to Los Angeles riots over the acquittal of police officers who beat Black motorist Rodney King.
The Marines and National Guard deployed in Los Angeles are assigned to protect federal property and personnel and may temporarily detain people, but they are required to turn them over to civilian law enforcement for any formal arrest.
Trump’s use of the National Guard was allowed to continue, at least for now, after a federal appeal on Thursday paused a lower court ruling to return control of the California National Guard to Governor Gavin Newsom. The appeals court ruling does not mean it will ultimately side with Trump, as the matter is scheduled for another hearing next week.
The Trump administration “far overreached its authority,” the California Attorney General’s office said, adding that it remained confident in its case ahead of making arguments to court on Tuesday.
Democrats, including Newsom, have said the use of military force was unnecessary and an example of Trump’s authoritarianism. Los Angeles and other local officials have also opposed the recent ramp-up of federal immigration enforcement.
Marines to protect L.A. federal building amid protests, commander says
Maj. Gen. Scott Sherman says the Marines have completed civil disturbance training. They will take over duties from National Guard soldiers, who will instead focus on protecting federal law enforcement personnel. The move comes as a legal battle continues between the Trump administration and California about who had the power to deploy the state’s National Guard. More protests across the country are planned this weekend, with anti-Trump “No Kings” demonstrations set to happen Saturday in more than 2,000 cities across the nation. The growing scope of military support to federal partners could be a harbinger of activity nationwide, as the White House looks to use the National Guard for more immigration enforcement. The first known incident occurred Friday, when Marines detained someone before handing them off to law enforcement officers, a defense official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing operations. More than 400 people have been arrested for failure to disperse since Saturday, according to Los Angeles police. Dozens of others are charged with a range of violations, including breaking curfew and assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer.
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The move comes as a legal battle continues between the Trump administration and California about who had the power to deploy the state’s National Guard. An appeals court late Thursday blocked an order from a federal judge ordering President Donald Trump to relinquish control of those troops to Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), allowing Trump to keep the forces deployed for now.
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Meanwhile, governors in Texas and Missouri have activated their National Guard troops. More protests across the country are planned this weekend, with anti-Trump “No Kings” demonstrations set to happen Saturday in more than 2,000 cities across the nation as the U.S. Army prepares to conduct a massive military parade in the nation’s capital.
Where the Marines, National Guard are deployed in L.A.
Sherman said the Marines would relieve the National Guard troops at noon local time Friday to guard the Wilshire Federal Building in the city’s tony Westwood neighborhood.
“I would like to emphasize that the soldiers will not participate in law enforcement activities,” he added.
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Military personnel under federal control by law can only temporarily detain people until police arrive to make an arrest. The first known incident occurred Friday, when Marines detained someone before handing them off to law enforcement officers, a defense official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing operations. The incident was first reported by Reuters.
About 500 National Guard troops have trained to accompany U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents while they conduct immigration raids, officials have said, and have provided security for immigration-related arrests this week. The growing scope of military support to federal partners could be a harbinger of activity nationwide, as the White House looks to use the National Guard for more immigration enforcement.
The Marines — infantrymen not versed in domestic missions — spent a few days on a crash course on handling unrest. The instruction included techniques on de-escalation and military attorneys providing guidance on use of force, Sherman said. Troops have been issued their assigned weapons, helmets, face shields, batons and gas masks, he said.
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The latest on protests in L.A. and elsewhere
Protests against the sweeping immigration raids in Los Angeles have stretched for more than a week.
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Roughly a one-square-mile section of downtown remains under a nightly 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew after demonstrations included a mix of peaceful marches and a smaller segment of protesters hurling objects at police, setting cars on fire and breaking into local businesses. More than 400 people have been arrested for failure to disperse since Saturday, according to Los Angeles police. Dozens of others are charged with a range of violations, including breaking curfew, assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer and attempted murder with a molotov cocktail.
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The unrest has been concentrated to a few blocks, while other protests have unfurled in nearby towns in Los Angeles County. Across the country, anti-ICE protests have drawn hundreds to the streets in cities including Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Antonio and Seattle.
Legal battles over control of troops in California
A federal appeals court is allowing Trump to keep California National Guard members deployed in Los Angeles over the objections of Newsom for now, blocking a lower-court ruling from earlier Thursday that ordered the president to return control of the guard to the governor.
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U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer wrote in the lower court order that Trump acted improperly, “both exceeding the scope of his statutory authority and violating the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.” The appellate court quickly granted the Trump administration a stay of Breyer’s ruling and scheduled a hearing on the issue for Tuesday.
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Sherman said his operations have been unaffected by recent court decisions, including the rulings on Thursday. “We’re continuing on with the mission until we receive orders from higher on how to continue,” he said.
‘No Kings’ protests are planned this weekend
Nationwide demonstrations are scheduled Saturday as part of a widespread “No Kings” protest of what organizers with the liberal advocacy group Indivisible called the Trump administration’s creeping authoritarianism. Rallies and marches are planned in major population centers like New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, as well as small towns and midsize cities. Indivisible organizers said that their protests are expected to be peaceful First Amendment exercises and that they have trained volunteers in de-escalation and crowd safety.
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A chaotic scene at a Newark ICE facility
Four detainees escaped Thursday from Delaney Hall, a privately run immigrant detention center in Newark where local officials and advocates have protested conditions. It was also the scene of a disturbance Thursday as demonstrators faced off with law enforcement officers, according to an immigration advocate present who provided a video of the scene to The Washington Post. DHS said “additional law enforcement partners” were helping search for the detainees.
Source: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/marines-arrive-in-los-angeles-temporarily-detain-army-veteran/