Marines illegally detain civilian veteran at Los Angeles federal building

On Jun. 13, 2025, U.S. Marines from 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment detained 27-year-old Army veteran Marcos Leao at the Wilshire Federal Building in Los Angeles—the first-known domestic civilian detention by active-duty troops during a U.S. deployment.

Approximately 700 Marines were deployed to Los Angeles, with about 200 arriving on the Friday before the incident alongside 2,000 National Guard members.

Leao, a U.S. citizen who gained citizenship through his Army service, crossed a yellow-tape boundary while wearing headphones and did not hear the Marines’ commands; he was restrained with zip ties and held for over two hours.

After Marines held him, Leao was transferred to the Department of Homeland Security and released without charges; LAPD responded but said they were not needed.

A U.S. Army North spokesperson confirmed that under “specific circumstances” federal troops can temporarily detain individuals, but must transfer them to civilian law enforcement.

The Posse Comitatus Act bars active-duty forces from conducting civilian law enforcement, and experts warn this detention may test or expand its limits.

Experts note the last comparable domestic troop deployment with detentions was during the 1992 Los Angeles riots.