Marines Detain Civilian in Los Angeles: A Rare Militarized Domestic Arrest
Military personnel identified as U.S. Marines detaining residents in Los Angeles
In a move that's stirring controversy, U.S. Marines, sent to Los Angeles by the Trump administration, have made the first known domestic arrest of a civilian during protests. A video from Reuters shows Marine personnel apprehending a civilian outside a federal building, binding his hands with zip ties, and handing him over to Homeland Security officials.
This arrest, which took place while protesting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, marks the first known instance of active U.S. troops making an arrest during anti-ICE demonstrations in California's metropolis. A spokesperson for the U.S. military's Northern Command stated that active forces could "temporarily detain individuals under certain circumstances," emphasizing that any detention would end upon safe transfer to civilian law enforcement authorities.
The civilian, an Angolan and Portuguese war veteran, affirmatively reported being treated fairly after his release. He recounted crossing a barrier on his way to a Veterans Affairs office and being ordered to stop by the Marines, who were merely "doing their job."
Some 2,000 National Guard troops and 200 Marine Corps personnel have been stationed in Los Angeles to protect federal buildings and officials, potentially accompanying ICE agents during contentious raids in the city. An additional 500 Marine Corps personnel and 2,000 National Guard troops are expected to reinforce these forces.
Military personnel do possess the authority to detain individuals who pose a threat to federal officials or property, but they may not make arrests themselves. The "Posse Comitatus Act" of 1878 generally restricts U.S. military involvement in civilian law enforcement, but exceptions can be made in cases where troops are protecting federal officials and property.
The Controversy Continues
Despite the deployment's stated purpose, experts criticize the use of military personnel during domestic protests. Historically, presidents have invoked the "Insurrection Act" of 1792 during major national crises, which allows troops to engage in civilian law enforcement in the event of a rebellion. The last recorded use of this act was by President George H.W. Bush in 1992, following the Los Angeles riots in response to the acquittal of police officers involved in the Rodney King incident.
On Saturday, nationwide protests against the Trump administration are planned in around a hundred cities across the USA. As tension mounts, critics accuse President Trump of authoritarian behavior for deploying over 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marine infantry soldiers to Los Angeles to manage anti-ICE protests and related unrest.
[1] [https://www.reuters.com/video/watch/idUSKBN2CE2RQ][2] [https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/19/us/los-angeles-ice-protests-arrest/index.html][3] [https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/marine-corps-detains-civilian-los-angeles-protest- According-video-n1259630][4] [https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/02/20/trump-invokes-posse-comitatus-act-connecticut-national-guard/4505245001/]
Community policy debates have arisen concerning the role of military personnel in domestic protests, as the first known arrest of a civilian by U.S. Marines during anti-ICE demonstrations in Los Angeles has ignited controversy. This incident, involving a veteran, has prompted discussions in the realm of politics and general-news, and crime-and-justice, questioning the President's use of over 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marine infantry soldiers.
