Marines Carry Out First Known Detention Of Civilian In LA ICE Protests

0 2 minutes read

Reports confirm that a civilian was temporarily detained by Marines deployed to Los Angeles on Friday, marking the first known detention by active-duty troops sent there by President Donald Trump.

The incident occurred at the Wilshire Federal Building in Los Angeles, where Marines assumed responsibility for protecting the building earlier that day amidst ongoing protests over immigration raids.

Images captured by Reuters showed Marines apprehending a civilian, securing his hands with zip ties, and then transferring him to civilians from the Department of Homeland Security.

U.S. Marines detain a person outside the Wilshire Federal Building after Marines were deployed to Los Angeles, as protests against federal immigration sweeps continue, in Los Angeles, California, U.S. June 13, 2025.

When asked about the incident, a spokesperson for the U.S. military’s Northern Command stated that active duty forces have the authority to temporarily detain individuals in specific circumstances.

The 200 Marines and over 2,000 National Guard members currently stationed in Los Angeles are tasked with safeguarding federal property and personnel, with an additional 500 Marines and 2,000 National Guard soldiers set to join them.

These troops are expected to accompany ICE agents on raids as part of their duties.

U.S. Marines from 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division walk to their assignment at the Wilshire Federal Building, ahead of Saturday's nationwide "No Kings Day" protest, in Los Angeles, Calif., Friday, June 13, 2025. — U.S. Marines from 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division walk to their assignment at the Wilshire Federal Building, ahead of Saturday’s nationwide “No Kings Day” protest, in Los Angeles, Calif., Friday, June 13, 2025.

While authorized to detain individuals deemed a threat to federal property or personnel, military personnel are instructed to hand over detainees to civilian law enforcement as soon as possible for formal arrest.

The Posse Comitatus Act generally prohibits the direct involvement of the U.S. military, including the National Guard, in civilian law enforcement activities.

President Trump has the option to invoke the Insurrection Act, which would grant troops direct involvement in civilian law enforcement activities. (Reporting by Omar Younis, Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali; Editing by Leslie Adler and Sandra Maler)