First-ever domestic arrest by US Marines in LA as protests heat up
Military personnel dressed in Marine Corps uniforms forcibly detain local residents in the city of Los Angeles
Batch loads of US Marines descended upon LA at the Trump administration's behest, and someone ended up in the clink. Yes, you heard that right – for the first time in history, active duty Marines have arrested a civilian on US soil.
The jaw-dropping moment was captured on video by Reuters, which showed Marines apprehending a man in front of a federal building in LA, binding his hands with zip ties, and then passing him on to Homeland Security officials.
The unlucky civilian turned out to be a veteran of Angolan and Portuguese descent, who'd been making his way to the Department of Veterans Affairs when he was ordered to halt. He later remarked to reporters that the Marines "were just doing their job" after his release.
The hefty price of protesting
The Marine Corps have a whopping 2,000 National Guard troops stationed in LA, tasked with protecting federal buildings and officials. They're also accompanying Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during the controversial LA raids, which have sparked protests across the city.
But what about that pesky Posse Comitatus Act of 1878? Well, it's kind of a gray area. Troops can be deployed to protect federal officials and properties, but only until they can be handed over to the local police. And let's not forget that US President Donald Trump has the potentially-game-changing Insurrection Act of 1792 up his sleeve if things get really hairy.
Nationwide uprising imminent
Tensions are running high, with protests set to rock nearly a hundred cities on Saturday. Activists have labeled the day "No Kings," vowing to make their voices heard against Trump's government. LA has been a hotbed of unrest lately, with protests against Trump's tough stance on immigration often turning volatile.
Other cities like Las Vegas, Dallas, Austin, Chicago, Atlanta, and Boston have also seen demonstrations against the Trump administration's immigration policies. So far, Trump has mustered a whopping 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marine infantry soldiers to LA in response. As critics continue to rail against Trump's authoritarian tendencies, it looks like we're in for a wild ride.
The LA detention marks a rare act of domestic civilian detention by active-duty US military forces, reigniting debates over civil liberties and military authority on home turf. While critics have raised concerns over the military's expanding role in domestic law enforcement, officials remain firm that such detentions are strictly temporary, intended only for situations where individuals pose an immediate threat to federal personnel or properties.
[Table of Key Details]
| Aspect | Details ||-----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|| Date | June 14, 2025 || Location | Wilshire Federal Building, Los Angeles || Civilian Involved | Marcos Leao, 27, Army veteran, naturalized citizen || Reason for Detention | Crossed yellow-taped barrier, potential threat to federal property || Restraint Used | Zip ties (reported, though not officially permitted) || Handed Over To | Department of Homeland Security officers || Official Explanation | Temporary detainment of threats to federal property/personnel || Public Reaction | Alarm over military role in civilian affairs, calls for accountability |
- The debates over civil liberties and military authority on home turf have intensified, following the rare act of domestic civilian detention by active-duty US military forces in LA, during the nationwide uprise against the Trump administration's immigration policies.
- Amidst the escalating tensions and protests, it's worth noting that the US Department of Defense is also responsible for community policy, employment policy, politics, general news, crime-and-justice, and war-and-conflicts, portraying a complex landscape of governance and accountability.
