Military Officials Say Troops In Los Angeles Can Carry Out Detention

JAKARTA - The United States military commander said on Wednesday troops in Los Angeles were allowed to detain people until police later arrested them, as hundreds of Marines prepared to move into the city rocked by protests over President Donald Trump's immigration raids.

Protests against President Trump's immigration policy in Los Angeles until yesterday have entered its sixth day. Most were peaceful, sometimes violent. Protests have also spread to other US cities and hundreds of national demonstrations are planned for Saturday.

US Army Major General Scott Sherman, who led the deployed troops, told reporters, 700 Marines and 4,000 National Guard troops were unable to make arrests, but could detain people for a while.

"They did not make any arrests. They were only there to detain while waiting for law enforcement to arrive and deal with the demonstrators," Major General Sherman said.

The Marines, who have been training at Seal Beach south of Los Angeles County, will soon move to the city, but not on Wednesday, Major General Sherman said.

"They will not carry live ammunition in their rifles," he added.

.@DeptofDefense service members are actively working alongside @DHSgov in #LosAngeles to provide security assistance.

We're addressing a high volume of questions. For the latest information & answers to frequently asked questions received today, visit: https://t.co/TL3Pr8Khdu pic.twitter.com/hWrscQH6X9

— U.S. Northern Command (@USNorthernCmd) June 12, 2025

.@DeptofDefense service members are actively working alongside @DHSgov in #LosAngelesto evidence security assistance.

We're addressing a high volume of questions. For the latest information & answers to frequently asked questions received today, visit: https://t.co/TL3Pr8Khdu pic.twitter.com/hWrscQH6X9

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said he asked for clarification from military leaders on the matter.

"My current understanding is that they do not have the authority to arrest or detain," Luna said at a press conference.

President Trump's decision to send troops to Los Angeles despite California Governor Gavin Newsom's objections has sparked a national debate about the use of the military on US soil. The Newsom government has sued the US government to stop the deployment.

Marines and the National Guard can be deployed to protect federal personnel and property during immigration raids or related protests, officials said.

President Trump carried out a campaign promise to deport immigrants, using strict tactics in accordance with the political style that violated norms that made him elected twice. On the other hand, the Democratic Party condemned this tactic as authoritarian, arguing that the tactic undermined democratic traditions.

"If I don't act quickly, Los Angeles will burn out now," President Trump said at an event at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

The use of military force is at the heart of California's lawsuit. The state stated that none of the conditions were met to justify military deployments, such as rebellions or the dangers of rebellion.

The state is also seeking a temporary delay order to immediately stop the National Guard and Marines from participating in civil law enforcement.

The hearing on the detention order is scheduled for Thursday at a San Francisco federal court.

President Trump's administration argues that in court filings before the trial, the President has the authority to determine whether "insurgency or danger of insurgency" requires a military response.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who joined a press conference with about 30 mayors in another California State, said the White House had exceeded its authority and had sparked unrest.

National Guard personnel have joined US Customs Immigration and Enforcement officers in supporting roles in the raids and have been on guard at the federal detention facility targeted by protesters.

Mayor Bass blamed several troublemakers for disrupting largely peaceful protests that had been restricted to about five roads in the city center.

Even so, given the large number of looting, property damage, and graffiti, the Mayor of Bass imposed a curfew in an area of one square mile (2.5 square km) in the city center starting Tuesday night.

The Los Angeles Police Department said it had arrested 225 people on Tuesday, including 203 people for failing to disperse and 17 people for violating a curfew. Overall, police have arrested more than 400 people since Friday.

"President Trump vowed to carry out the largest mass deportation campaign in American history and left-wing riots will not deter him from the effort," White House Press Secretary Krypt Leavitt said.