In a rare deployment of military personnel in support of local law enforcement, U.S. Marines stationed in Los Angeles detained a civilian for the first time on Friday. This action underlines a concerning trend as nationwide protests are anticipated in opposition to President Donald Trump’s planned military parade in Washington.
The detained individual, Marcos Leao, is a 27-year-old U.S. Army veteran who obtained American citizenship after serving in the military. His detention highlights the growing tensions provoked by immigration raids and military presence in civilian areas, which have drawn both support and outrage across the nation.
President Trump dispatched the Marines to Los Angeles in response to escalating protests surrounding immigration enforcement, adding them to National Guard troops already present in the city. This decision faced opposition from California Governor Gavin Newsom, who contested the necessity of military intervention. Trump asserted that troop deployments were essential to manage the demonstrations, a claim that state and local officials dispute.
In anticipation of the protests, around 1,800 demonstrations are scheduled across the United States on Saturday, coinciding with the Washington military parade marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and the President’s 79th birthday. The combination of a domestic military parade and the involvement of active-duty personnel in civilian actions is historically unusual, raising questions about the balance of power between federal and local authorities.
On Thursday, events escalated dramatically when federal agents forcibly removed and handcuffed a U.S. Senator during a press conference, adding to the atmosphere of political uncertainty. Trump’s unconventional tactics continue to spark controversy, but Democratic leaders are beginning to mobilize against these measures.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced that fifteen protests are planned throughout the city. She urged demonstrators to remain peaceful amid rising tensions. “We are here today because the raids have caused fear and panic,” said Bass, who was accompanied by numerous elected officials criticizing military overreach.
Bass raised critical questions regarding the federal government’s authority over state and local jurisdictions, asking, “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?”
Approximately 200 Marines have been assigned to protect the Wilshire Federal Building in Los Angeles, part of a larger battalion of 700 Marines deployed to support National Guard efforts. According to Army Major General Scott Sherman, who oversees both the Marines and National Guard forces, these deployments aim to protect federal property and personnel. While Marines can temporarily detain individuals, they must promptly hand over anyone detained to civilian law enforcement for formal processing.
Reuters witnessed the detainment of Leao at the Wilshire Federal Building, where Marines restrained his hands with zip ties before transferring him to officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) nearly two hours later. Following the incident, Leao expressed his relief upon his release, recounting that he was instructed to get on the ground after inadvertently crossing a yellow tape barrier.
He clarified that he was not a protester but rather had business at the Veterans Administration office located within the building. “They treated me very fairly,” Leao stated, adding that the situation was stressful for everyone involved.
A spokesperson from the U.S. military’s Northern Command confirmed that active-duty forces have authorization to temporarily detain individuals under specific circumstances, after which the detainee must be turned over to civilian authorities. Additionally, DHS redirected further inquiries back to Northern Command regarding the incident.
Protests in Los Angeles have persisted for over a week, initially ignited by a series of immigration enforcement actions. While thousands attended, fewer than 1% of protesters have engaged in violence or property destruction, reported Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna.
In remarks delivered at a press conference, Luna acknowledged a clear distinction between peaceful protesters and those intent on disruption. He emphasized law enforcement’s commitment to facilitating safe protests while warning that any violence or vandalism would result in arrests.
To maintain order, Mayor Bass has implemented a curfew in a one-square-mile area of downtown Los Angeles, which officials have found effective amid continuing demonstrations. Bass stated that there would be “no termination date” for the curfew, but expressed hope that it might be lifted quickly once the immigration raids cease.
As the situation continues to develop, citizens and officials alike are grappling with the implications of military presence within an increasingly volatile social landscape.
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