Marines deployed to Los Angeles quickly detained a civilian on Friday, the U.S. navy confirmed after being introduced with Reuters photos, within the first recognized detention by active-duty troops deployed there by President Donald Trump.
The incident passed off on the Wilshire Federal Constructing in Los Angeles the place Marines took cost of the mission to guard the constructing earlier on Friday, in a uncommon home use of U.S. troops after days of protests over immigration raids.
Reuters photos confirmed Marines apprehending the person, restraining his fingers with zip ties after which handing him over to civilians from the Division of Homeland Safety.
Requested concerning the incident, the U.S. navy’s Northern Command spokesperson mentioned energetic responsibility forces “may temporarily detain an individual in specific circumstances.”
“Any temporary detention ends immediately when the individual(s) can be safely transferred to the custody of appropriate civilian law enforcement personnel,” a spokesperson mentioned.
Chatting with reporters after he was launched, the civilian recognized himself as Marcos Leao, 27.
Leao mentioned he was an Military veteran on his method to an workplace of the Division of Veterans Affairs when he crossed a yellow tape boundary and was requested to cease.
Leao, who gained his U.S. citizenship by means of navy service, mentioned he was handled “very fairly.”
“They’re just doing their job,” mentioned Leao, who’s of Angolan and Portuguese descent.
The 200 Marines and greater than 2,000 Nationwide Guard now deployed to Los Angeles are tasked with defending federal property and federal personnel.
They are going to be joined by a further 500 Marines and a couple of,000 extra Nationwide Guard troopers.
Which means that they are going to accompany ICE brokers on raids, officers have mentioned.
The troops are approved to detain individuals who pose a risk to federal personnel or property, however solely till police can arrest them.
Army officers aren’t allowed to hold out arrests themselves.
The Posse Comitatus Act typically forbids the U.S. navy, together with the Nationwide Guard, from collaborating in civilian legislation enforcement.
Trump might take a extra far-reaching step by invoking the Revolt Act, which might enable troops to immediately take part in civilian legislation enforcement.
