U.S. Marines made their first civilian detention in Los Angeles on Friday, sparking controversy as protests loom nationwide against President Trump’s military parade and immigration policies. The detained individual, Marcos Leao, a 27-year-old U.S. Army veteran and naturalized citizen, was briefly held after crossing a restricted zone near a federal building. 🛑
Trump deployed Marines to LA to assist National Guard troops already stationed there, despite objections from California Governor Gavin Newsom. The move comes ahead of 1,800+ planned protests on Saturday opposing Trump’s Washington military parade, timed to coincide with his 79th birthday and the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary. 🎂🎖️
LA Mayor Karen Bass criticized the federal intervention, stating: "How much will the American people put up with?" She urged peaceful demonstrations as 15 local protests are expected. Meanwhile, military officials clarified Marines are only authorized to protect federal property and must transfer detainees to civilian police. ⚖️
This marks a rare domestic use of active-duty troops in modern U.S. history, fueling debates about federal overreach. With tensions high and social media buzzing, all eyes are on how this clash between protest rights and military presence unfolds. 📱✊
