He Crossed the Tape – Marines MOVED IN

U.S. Marines detained an Army veteran at a Los Angeles federal building during immigration protests, marking the first civilian detention by military forces since their deployment to the city.

At a Glance

  • Marines detained Marcos Leao, a U.S. Army veteran, for over two hours after he crossed caution tape while heading to a Veterans Affairs appointment
  • Approximately 200 Marines have joined 2,000 National Guard troops in Los Angeles amid immigration protest security concerns
  • Leao was released without charges and stated the Marines treated him “very fairly” while performing their duties
  • The incident raises questions about military involvement in civilian law enforcement under the Posse Comitatus Act
  • President Trump could potentially invoke the Insurrection Act to expand military law enforcement capabilities

First Military Detention During LA Protests

U.S. Marines temporarily detained Marcos Leao, an Army veteran and naturalized citizen, at the Wilshire Federal Building in Los Angeles when he reportedly did not immediately respond to their commands. The incident occurred as Leao was rushing to a Veterans Affairs appointment and crossed caution tape at the federal facility. Wearing headphones at the time, Leao later explained he couldn’t hear the Marines’ orders. This detention marks the first civilian held by federal troops in Los Angeles since their deployment to the area in response to immigration protest security concerns.

U.S. Northern Command confirmed the detention under Title 10 of the United States Code. Marines, working alongside National Guard members, held Leao for over two hours before transferring him to Los Angeles police, who released him without filing any charges. Images captured by Reuters showed Marines apprehending Leao, restraining him with zip ties, and handing him over to Department of Homeland Security personnel. The incident demonstrates the practical application of military protocols during civil unrest situations.

Military Authority and Detention Guidelines

Military officials have clarified the scope of their authority regarding civilian interactions. According to the U.S. military’s Northern Command, troops “may temporarily detain an individual in specific circumstances.” The spokesperson emphasized that “any temporary detention ends immediately when the individual(s) can be safely transferred to the custody of appropriate civilian law enforcement personnel.” This policy reflects the military’s effort to balance security responsibilities with legal limitations on their domestic law enforcement role.

“I had my headphones in, so I didn’t hear them. They told me to get down on the ground. I basically complied with everything they were saying.”, said Marcos Leao.

The Pentagon has established specific rules of engagement for Marines handling potential use of force against civilians, with emphasis on de-escalation and crowd control techniques. These troops are primarily tasked with protecting federal property and personnel, though they may also accompany Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on raids. Despite their presence, military officials cannot directly make arrests due to restrictions under the Posse Comitatus Act, which limits military involvement in civilian law enforcement activities.

Expanding Military Presence Amid Protests

The federal response to immigration protests has grown substantially, with approximately 200 Marines joining an existing force of 2,000 National Guard members in Los Angeles. An additional 2,000 Guard members have been notified of potential deployment, indicating the administration’s readiness to further increase military presence if deemed necessary. President Trump sent around 700 Marines to the area, though reports indicate they have primarily been stationed outside the city limits.

“I believe that this is an inevitable precursor of things yet to come when you put troops with guns right next to civilians who are doing whatever they do.”, added Gary Solis.

California state officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom and Senator Alex Padilla, have publicly opposed the military deployment. A U.S. District Court Judge initially ruled the National Guard deployment illegal, but this decision was subsequently reversed by an appeals court. The ongoing situation has sparked planned nationwide “No Kings” protests, coordinated to coincide with a Flag Day military parade and President Trump’s 70th birthday. These protests specifically target what organizers describe as authoritarianism, prioritization of billionaires, and the militarization of democracy.

Legal Implications and Future Outlook

The detention of Leao highlights growing questions about the role of active-duty forces in domestic situations. While current deployments operate under specific limitations, President Trump could potentially invoke the Insurrection Act, which would allow troops to directly participate in civilian law enforcement activities. This would represent a significant expansion of military authority on American soil and fundamentally alter the nature of the federal response to civil protests.

Despite the tense circumstances surrounding his detention, Leao, who gained his U.S. citizenship through military service, emphasized that he was treated fairly by the Marines. “They treated me very fairly,” he stated after his release. Leao acknowledged the Marines were simply performing their assigned duties, though he expressed surprise at the intensity of the security measures, remarking, “I didn’t know it was going to be this intense here.” His experience provides a firsthand account of military protocols during this unprecedented deployment.

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