Marines Temporarily Detain Civilians in Los Angeles
On Friday, Marines stationed in Los Angeles took a man into custody, marking the first known incident of active duty forces detaining civilians under orders from President Donald Trump. This occurred following the presentation of images from Reuters showing the event.
The Marines were assigned to guard the Wilshire Federal Building, a rare interaction of military forces in domestic settings, particularly after recent protests concerning immigration policies.
Images from Reuters depicted Marines apprehending a man, securing his wrists with zip ties, and subsequently transferring him to officials at the Department of Homeland Security.
A spokesperson from the US military Northern Command elaborated on the incident, indicating that active duty units are authorized to temporarily detain individuals when necessary, albeit with limitations. They emphasized that such detentions should end as soon as individuals can be safely turned over to local law enforcement.
After his release, the man, identified as 27-year-old Marcos Leo—a U.S. Army veteran—spoke with reporters. He mentioned he was headed to the Veterans Affairs Office when directed to stop behind a yellow tape barrier.
Leo, who had gained citizenship through military service, commented on his experience, stating he felt he was treated “very well.” He added, “They’re just doing their jobs,” reflecting an understanding of the situation from his perspective as both a veteran and a civilian.
Currently, approximately 200 Marines and over 2,000 National Guard personnel are deployed in Los Angeles with orders to protect federal properties and officials. Officials have noted plans to increase this force by an additional 500 Marines and another 2,000 National Guard members, who will be working alongside ICE agents.
While these forces can detain individuals posing potential threats to federal entities, it is essential to clarify that military authorities do not have the power to make arrests on their own. The Posse Comitatus Act restricts the involvement of U.S. military personnel in civilian law enforcement, but there are provisions allowing the military to engage under certain circumstances, particularly if the President invokes specific laws.
