US Marines in Los Angeles arrested civilians

This was the first known arrest by active-duty U.S. troops during the protests against raids by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) in the Californian city. When asked about the incident, a spokesperson for the U.S. military's Northern Command stated that active-duty U.S. forces could temporarily detain individuals "under certain circumstances." "Any temporary detention will terminate immediately once the individual can be safely transferred to the custody of appropriate civilian law enforcement authorities."

Arrested man feels treated very fairly

The detained civilian, a U.S. Army veteran of Angolan and Portuguese descent, said after his release that he was treated very fairly. He crossed a barrier on his way to a Department of Veterans Affairs office and was subsequently asked to stop. The Marines were "just doing their job."

The 200 Marines and more than 2,000 National Guardsmen currently stationed in Los Angeles are tasked with protecting U.S. federal buildings and federal officials. According to officials, this also means they could accompany U.S. immigration officials during the controversial raids in Los Angeles. Another 500 Marines and 2,000 National Guardsmen are expected to reinforce the troops in Los Angeles.

The troops are authorized to arrest individuals who pose a threat to federal officials or property, but only until the police can take them over. Military personnel are not permitted to make arrests themselves.

Military deployment in Los Angeles is controversial

Under the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, the U.S. military, including the National Guard, is generally prohibited from prosecuting civilian crimes. However, troops can be deployed to protect federal officers and property. The current deployment of the military in Los Angeles is controversial among experts.

US President Donald Trump could go even further and invoke the Insurrection Act of 1792, which would allow troops to directly participate in civilian law enforcement in the event of a rebellion.

Historically, U.S. presidents have used the Insurrection Act during major national crises, such as the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 and the rise of the Ku Klux Klan after the Civil War. The most recent use was in 1992 by President George H.W. Bush, at the request of the California governor, to quell riots in Los Angeles following the acquittal of police officers in the Rodney King case.