Marines Detain Veteran in Los Angeles Amid Protests: A First for U.S. Military
Marines from the U.S. Department of Defense apprehend civilians within Los Angeles vicinity
Get ready for a shocker! In an unprecedented move, a US Marine veteran named Marcos Leao was detained by US Marines in Los Angeles, just a day before the nationwide protests against President Trump.
The US military has confirmed this incident after a Reuters video surfaced showing Marine infantrymen detaining the civilian in front of a federal building in Los Angeles. The video shows the troops binding his hands with zip ties before handing him over to Homeland Security officials.
This marked the first known detention of a civilian by active US troops during the ongoing protests against ICE raids in the California metropolis. When asked about the incident, a spokesperson for the US military's Northern Command confirmed that active US forces could "temporarily detain individuals under certain circumstances."
Leao, a 27-year-old US Army veteran of Angolan and Portuguese descent, stated that he had been treated fairly after his release. He was on his way to the Department of Veterans Affairs office near the Wilshire Federal Building when he crossed a barrier marked by yellow tape, prompting the Marines to detain him.
Troops, including 200 Marines and over 2,000 National Guard soldiers, have been stationed in Los Angeles to protect federal buildings and federal officials. They are also authorized to detain individuals who pose a threat to federal officials or property, but only until they are handed over to the police. Military personnel are not allowed to make arrests themselves.
The detention of Leao has sparked controversy, with experts questioning the appropriateness of military intervention in civilian protests. Historically, US presidents have invoked the Insurrection Act during major national crises, but its use is controversial due to the potential for overstepping civil liberties. The current deployment of the military in Los Angeles raises similar concerns, with critics accusing President Trump of increasingly authoritarian behavior.
Protests against Trump's government are planned on Saturday in over 100 cities under the slogan "No Kings". In recent days, there have been protests against Trump's harsh measures against illegal immigrants, some of which turned violent. In response, Trump has deployed 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marine infantry soldiers to Los Angeles.
[1] "U.S. Marine veteran detained by troops in Los Angeles amid protests," NTV, June 14, 2025.[2] "Marine veteran detained in Los Angeles: video," AFP, June 14, 2025.
- USA
- Los Angeles
- Protests
- Military
- Donald Trump
- Immigration
- Migration
The controversy surrounding the detention of Marcos Leao, a US Marine veteran, by US troops in Los Angeles has led to discussions about the role of military intervention in civilian protests. This incident marks a potential shift in community policy, raising concerns about the appropriateness of general-news related to politics and crime-and-justice. The detention, amid widespread protests against President Trump's administration and immigration policies, has sparked debate about the boundaries of employment policy within the military and civil liberties.
