• Approximately 200 Marines are deployed in Los Angeles to protect federal property amidst protests over immigration raids.
• The Marines' presence follows a controversial decision by President Trump, who cited potential rebellions to justify military intervention.
• Recently, Marines have conducted their first civilian detention, drawing further scrutiny over the use of military force domestically.
• California Governor Gavin Newsom has described the deployment as an authoritarian power grab, sparking ongoing legal battles.
• Public demonstrations have continued, with the majority being peaceful, despite a few instances of violence reported.

About 200 Marines are now stationed in Los Angeles, where they began guarding the Wilshire Federal Building as protests against federal immigration raids escalate. This rare deployment of U.S. military forces on home soil comes after President Trump's assertion that the troops are necessary to maintain order amid civil unrest, which he labeled as "rebellion" against federal authority, according to HuffPost and Al Jazeera.

Major General Scott Sherman emphasized that the Marines will not engage in law enforcement activities but will protect federal personnel from potential threats. This deployment follows a legal challenge by California's Governor Gavin Newsom, who labeled Trump's actions as illegal under the Constitution, a view supported by District Court Judge Charles Breyer, as noted in sources including CBS News and Channel News Asia.

In a significant incident, Marines conducted their first detention of a civilian on Friday, which involved an Army veteran, Marcos Leao, who mistakenly entered a restricted area. He stated that Marines treated him fairly during the encounter, although the military's authority here raises concerns under the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts military involvement in civilian law enforcement, as detailed by Reuters and HuffPost.

Alongside the Marines, more than 2,000 National Guard members are also on duty. Their presence has provoked a polarized response from the public, comprised largely of peaceful protestors expressing their discontent with immigration policies. Reports indicate that less than 1% of demonstrators have engaged in violence or vandalism, with thousands participating in protests, according to Reuters and South China Morning Post.

As protests surge across Los Angeles, with over 1,800 demonstrations planned nationally, local officials have urged for peaceful assembly while expressing concerns over the ongoing militarization of civil society, reflecting tensions between state governance and federal interventions, echoed in statements by Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna and others, as seen in sources like The Jakarta Post and South China Morning Post.