On June 13, U.S. Marines deployed to Los Angeles detained Marcos Leao, a 27-year-old Army veteran and naturalized U.S. citizen, outside the Wilshire Federal Building. Leao, who served as a combat engineer, was attempting to attend a Veterans Affairs appointment when he crossed a yellow-tape boundary. Marines handcuffed him with zip ties, citing his failure to heed commands (which he attributed to wearing headphones), and held him for over two hours before transferring him to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel. He was released without charges, later stating the Marines treated him "very fairly" and were "just doing their job" amid a stressful environment.
The detention occurred under Title 10 authority, which permits troops to temporarily detain civilians to "prevent interference with federal personnel" or protect property—a power emphasized by U.S. Northern Command. However, California Governor Gavin Newsom has sued the Trump administration, arguing the deployment violates the Posse Comitatus Act and lacks justification under federal law (e.g., no "rebellion" exists). A federal hearing on California’s request for a restraining order against the deployment is pending. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass condemned the raids and military presence, questioning: "Can the federal government seize power from a state? How much will the American people put up with?".
Leao’s detention intensified ongoing protests against ICE raids, now in their eighth day. While officials like L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna noted that "fewer than 1%" of protesters caused violence, clashes have involved rocks, fireworks, and police use of flash-bangs and foam bullets. Bass’s 8 PM–6 AM curfew in a 1-square-mile downtown zone remains indefinitely, with officials linking its necessity directly to federal raids.
Meanwhile, nationwide "No Kings" protests erupted on June 14, with over 1,800 demonstrations opposing Trump’s policies and his military parade. Highlights included:
Los Angeles: Thousands marched with inverted U.S. flags and a giant Constitution replica, highlighting immigrant labor’s role in the economy.
Chicago: Crowds booed Trump Tower, chanting, "No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here".
Philadelphia: Martin Luther King III and Rep. Jamie Raskin joined rallies, with Raskin calling the parade a "militarized birthday party".
Security Incidents: Minnesota protests were canceled after a lawmaker’s assassination, while Texas evacuated its Capitol due to a "credible threat" against legislators.
The "No Kings" protests coincided with Trump’s $45 million military parade in Washington, D.C., celebrating the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary—and his 79th birthday. The event featured tanks, Stryker vehicles, and aircraft, drawing bipartisan criticism as "authoritarian" and wasteful. Protesters noted parallels to displays in "North Korea, China, and Russia," while veterans like Chris Yeazel called it a betrayal of democratic values.
ICE Raids: Federal agents have targeted workplaces (e.g., farms, car washes, and Home Depot parking lots), with reports of reckless tactics—including tear-gassing bystanders and crashing into a car with children.
Economic Impact: California mayors warned raids threaten the agricultural sector, where 255,700 undocumented workers are essential. Ventura Mayor Jeannette Sanchez-Palacios predicted crop losses would "affect every American".
Global Perception: Trump’s domestic militarization has worsened international views of the U.S., with Pew Research showing favorability drops in 15 of 24 surveyed nations.