U.S. Marines Detain Civilian in Los Angeles in First Known Detention by Active-Duty Soldiers 

Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP

U.S. Marines deployed to Los Angeles by President Donald Trump detained a civilian in Los Angeles on Friday.

Reuters reported that the civilian in question was detained outside the Wilshire Federal Building, which Marines have been tasked with protecting. Trump has authorized the deployment of 700 Marines to the Los Angeles area and has federalized 4,000 members of the California National Guard over the objections of Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.

Reuters captured images of Marines detaining a civilian, whose hands they zip-tied before giving him to the Department of Homeland Security. It is believed to be the first such detention since soldiers were deployed to the area.

A series of raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents last week sparked a wave of protests in Los Angeles. Trump deployed troops to the city even though the chief of the LAPD said the city was “nowhere near” requiring federal soldiers to help quell unrest.

Reuters reported that the U.S. military confirmed the detention after being presented with images of the civilian. The military’s Northern Command spokesperson said active duty forces “may temporarily detain an individual in specific circumstances.” Under the Posse Comitatus Act typically prohibits the military from conducting civilian law enforcement.

“This brazen abuse of power by a sitting president inflamed a combustible situation, putting our people, our officers, and even our National Guard at risk,” Newsom said in a televised primetime address on Tuesday.

The detention comes a day before the “No Kings” protests that are planned across the country on Saturday. The demonstrations coincide with a massive military parade Trump has ordered in Washington, D.C. on his 79th birthday. Trump claims the parade is meant to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army.