For the first time during the ongoing protests in Los Angeles, US Marines deployed under President Donald Trump’s orders have detained a civilian. This rare incident, involving active-duty military on American soil, took place at the Wilshire Federal Building on Friday. Marines had been stationed there to protect the facility during public unrest triggered by recent immigration raids.
According to Reuters, the Marines stopped a man, restrained him with zip ties, and later transferred him to officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This marks a notable escalation in military involvement during civil demonstrations.
Responding to concerns about the event, a spokesperson from the US Northern Command clarified that troops can briefly detain individuals, but only under specific and urgent conditions. “Any temporary detention ends immediately when the individual(s) can be safely transferred to the custody of appropriate civilian law enforcement personnel,” the spokesperson explained.
Veteran Detained Near Federal Office
The detained man was later identified as Marcos Leao, 27, an Army veteran who was on his way to the Department of Veterans Affairs when the incident occurred. Leao explained that he crossed a yellow tape boundary and was stopped by Marines.
He described the situation as respectful and fair. “They’re just doing their job,” Leao said. Leao, who is of Angolan and Portuguese descent, gained US citizenship through his military service.
Can Marines Detain Civilians?
Currently, around 200 US Marines and over 2,000 National Guard troops are deployed across Los Angeles to protect federal sites and personnel. Another 500 Marines and 2,000 more National Guard soldiers are expected to join the operation soon.
While troops can step in to maintain order, there are legal limits. According to military regulations, federal troops are not allowed to arrest civilians directly. They can only temporarily hold individuals if there is a threat to peace, and even then, they must hand them over to civilian authorities immediately.
This restriction is rooted in the Posse Comitatus Act, a long-standing US law that prohibits military forces, including the National Guard, from performing duties related to civilian law enforcement.