A U.S. Marine walks in front of a vehicle outside the Wilshire Federal Building, after he was deployed to Los Angeles as federal immigration sweeps continue, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 13, 2025. REUTERS/David Ryder
U.S. Marines Detain Civilian in Los Angeles as Protests Intensify
Los Angeles, CA – June 14, 2025-By Hotspotorlando News
On June 13, U.S. Marines stationed in Los Angeles made their first reported detention of a civilian amid escalating tensions over immigration enforcement and military presence in the city. The detainee, Marcos Leao, a 27-year-old U.S. Army veteran and naturalized citizen of Portuguese and Angolan descent, was apprehended outside the Wilshire Federal Building. According to reports, Leao inadvertently crossed a yellow-tape barrier while heading to a Veterans Affairs office and was mistaken for a protester. He was briefly restrained with zip ties and transferred to the Department of Homeland Security before being released. Leao described his treatment by the Marines as “very fair.”
U.S. Marines detain Marcos Leao, a 27 year-old veteran, 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. REUTERS/Aude Guerrucci
Demonstrators carry placards and U.S. and Mexican flags outside Los Angeles City Hall, as protests against federal immigration sweeps continue, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 13, 2025. REUTERS/Leah Millis
Demonstrators holding placards gather near police officials standing guard, as protests against federal immigration sweeps continue, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 13, 2025. REUTERS/Leah Millis
A demonstrator holds up a Mexican flag as protests against federal immigration sweeps continue, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 13, 2025. REUTERS/Pilar Olivares
Marcos Leao, a 27 year-old veteran who was detained by U.S. Marines at the Wilshire Federal Building, poses as federal immigration sweeps continue, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 13, 2025. REUTERS/David Ryder
A protestor holds a Mexican flag outside the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building, during a protest against federal immigration sweeps, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 13, 2025. REUTERS/David Swanson
Marines stand guard as federal immigration sweeps continue, in Los Angeles, California, U.S. June 13, 2025. REUTERS/Aude Guerrucci
A protester detained by police shouts slogans inside a police vehicle during a protest against federal immigration sweeps, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 12, 2025. REUTERS/Leah Millis
Police officers detain people during a protest against federal immigration sweeps, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 12, 2025. REUTERS/Leah Millis
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. REUTERS/Aude Guerrucci
Security forces members 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. REUTERS/Aude Guerrucci
U.S. Marines stand guard outside the Wilshire Federal Building after they were deployed to Los Angeles, as protests against federal immigration sweeps continue, in Los Angeles, California, U.S. June 13, 2025. REUTERS/Aude Guerrucci
Members of the National Guard stand guard outside the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building as federal immigration sweeps continue, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 13, 2025. REUTERS/Pilar Olivares
Marines stand guard as federal immigration sweeps continue, in Los Angeles, California, U.S. June 13, 2025. REUTERS/Aude Guerrucci
Detained people sit inside a police vehicle during a protest against federal immigration sweeps, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 12, 2025. REUTERS/Leah Millis
Police officers detain a person during a protest against federal immigration sweeps, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 12, 2025. REUTERS/Leah Millis
A U.S. Marine walks in front of a vehicle outside the Wilshire Federal Building, after he was deployed to Los Angeles as federal immigration sweeps continue, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 13, 2025. REUTERS/David Ryder
A California National Guard vehicle is parked outside the Wilshire Federal Building as federal immigration sweeps continue, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 13, 2025. REUTERS/David Ryder
The incident occurred as part of a broader deployment of 700 Marines and 4,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles, ordered by President Donald Trump to protect federal property during protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. The protests, concentrated in downtown Los Angeles, have been largely peaceful but have occasionally turned violent, with some arrests for assault, looting, or property damage.
California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have criticized the federal deployment, arguing it inflames tensions and is unnecessary given the effectiveness of local law enforcement. A federal judge’s attempt to block the military presence was temporarily stayed by an appeals court, allowing troops to remain. The U.S. Northern Command clarified that active-duty forces may detain civilians in specific circumstances, with authority ending upon transfer to civilian agencies.
The military’s role in Los Angeles coincides with heightened national unrest. Approximately 2,000 “No Kings” protests are planned across the U.S. on June 14, aligning with a controversial military parade in Washington, D.C., marking the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary and President Trump’s 79th birthday. Critics have decried the parade and troop deployments as authoritarian, while Trump defends them as essential for maintaining order, claiming Los Angeles would have been “burned to the ground” without intervention.
As more demonstrations are expected, Los Angeles remains a focal point of debate over the balance between public safety and civil liberties. Local and federal authorities urge calm, while residents brace for continued protests and an uncertain path forward.
