Juror on Sean 'Diddy' Combs' trial dismissed by judge
A juror in Sean 'Diddy' Combs' trial has been dismissed.
The 55-year-old rapper is more than a month into his federal trial for charges including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking but last week, lead prosecutor Maurene Comey requested one of the jurors be dismissed for a "lack of candour".
And while US District Judge Arun Subramanian had initially said on Friday (13.06.25) he was unsure an inquiry was needed, on further review, he has concluded the 41-year-old man had given inconsistent answers regarding his residency, having alluded to living in both the Bronx and New Jersey.
The judge said he had "concerns about his candour and whether he shaded answers to get on and stay on the panel.'
The trial is taking place in Manhattan, meaning jurors must be residents of the Southern District of New York, which includes Manhattan, the Bronx, and parts of the Hudson Valley.
The judge has dismissed the juror and he will be replaced with an alternate, a 57-year-old architect from Westchester County, who is white.
The defense had argued against the juror's dismissal, with one of Combs' attorneys, Alexandra Shapiro, claiming the attempt to have him removed was a "thinly veiled effort to dismiss" a Black member of the panel, and another lawyer, Xavier Donaldson arguing dismissal would make the jury less diverse.
The identity of the jurors - eight men and four women - are not being made public, but their ages range from their 30s to their 70s. Six alternates were also chosen, of which four are men and two women.
The Bad Boy records founder has pleaded not guilty to charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution.
If convicted, he faces between 15 years and life in prison.
Earlier this month, the judge warned Diddy to stop "nodding" in the direction of the jury after he was allegedly seen doing so during the testimony of Bryana Bongolan, a friend of his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura.
During a lunch break while the jury were out of the court room, Judge Subramanian told Combs' attorneys: "I was very clear there should be no facial expressions to the jury, and I could not have been clearer.
"There was a line of questioning where your client was nodding vigorously and looking at the jury ... [This was] absolutely unacceptable ...
"This can't continue or I will give a limiting instruction you won't like, or other measures including barring your client from the courtroom. Do you understand?"
Combs' lawyer Marc Agnifilo told the judge it will not happen again.
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Perth Now
12 hours ago
- Perth Now
Juror on Sean 'Diddy' Combs' trial dismissed by judge
A juror in Sean 'Diddy' Combs' trial has been dismissed. The 55-year-old rapper is more than a month into his federal trial for charges including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking but last week, lead prosecutor Maurene Comey requested one of the jurors be dismissed for a "lack of candour". And while US District Judge Arun Subramanian had initially said on Friday (13.06.25) he was unsure an inquiry was needed, on further review, he has concluded the 41-year-old man had given inconsistent answers regarding his residency, having alluded to living in both the Bronx and New Jersey. The judge said he had "concerns about his candour and whether he shaded answers to get on and stay on the panel.' The trial is taking place in Manhattan, meaning jurors must be residents of the Southern District of New York, which includes Manhattan, the Bronx, and parts of the Hudson Valley. The judge has dismissed the juror and he will be replaced with an alternate, a 57-year-old architect from Westchester County, who is white. The defense had argued against the juror's dismissal, with one of Combs' attorneys, Alexandra Shapiro, claiming the attempt to have him removed was a "thinly veiled effort to dismiss" a Black member of the panel, and another lawyer, Xavier Donaldson arguing dismissal would make the jury less diverse. The identity of the jurors - eight men and four women - are not being made public, but their ages range from their 30s to their 70s. Six alternates were also chosen, of which four are men and two women. The Bad Boy records founder has pleaded not guilty to charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. If convicted, he faces between 15 years and life in prison. Earlier this month, the judge warned Diddy to stop "nodding" in the direction of the jury after he was allegedly seen doing so during the testimony of Bryana Bongolan, a friend of his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura. During a lunch break while the jury were out of the court room, Judge Subramanian told Combs' attorneys: "I was very clear there should be no facial expressions to the jury, and I could not have been clearer. "There was a line of questioning where your client was nodding vigorously and looking at the jury ... [This was] absolutely unacceptable ... "This can't continue or I will give a limiting instruction you won't like, or other measures including barring your client from the courtroom. Do you understand?" Combs' lawyer Marc Agnifilo told the judge it will not happen again.
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- The Advertiser
'Political assassination' suspect still at large in US
A manhunt is still underway for the suspect in the deadly shooting of a Minnesota state politician and the wounding of another, as details emerge of his background. Police say Vance Luther Boelter, 57, is suspected of killing Democratic Minnesota state legislator Melissa Hortman and her husband, and the shooting of State Senator John Hoffman and his wife. Hortman - the senior Democratic and former assembly speaker in Minnesota - was remembered by Governor Tim Walz as someone with "grace, compassion, and tirelessness." Among issues she focused on were environmental causes, racial equality, reproductive rights and stricter gun control. Advocacy groups pointed to her support for police reforms after the 2020 murder of George Floyd, a Black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes. She helped advance a legislation that banned police choke holds. Walz described the shooting as a "politically motivated assassination. Former US Vice President Kamala Harris described Hortman as an "outstanding public servant." Harris added: "She passed legislation that enshrined freedoms and increased opportunity for the people of Minnesota. I saw her impact firsthand when I was with her in Minnesota." Walz said he was cautiously optimistic that Senator Hoffman and his wife would survive "this assassination attempt" as they underwent surgery. Police responded to reports of gunfire at the Hoffmans' home shortly after 2 am, Champlin police said, and found the couple with multiple gunshot wounds. After seeing who the victims were, police sent officers to check on Hortman's home. There they encountered what appeared to be a police vehicle and a man dressed as an officer at the door, leaving the house. "When officers confronted him, the individual immediately fired upon the officers who exchanged gunfire, and the suspect retreated back into the home" and escaped, Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said. The FBI has offered a reward of up to $50,000 for information that could lead to his arrest. Boelter had links to evangelical ministries and said he was a security expert with experience in the Gaza Strip and Africa, according to his online postings and public records. A man who shared a house in Minneapolis with Boelter for a little more than a year, told Reuters he received a text from Boelter on Saturday. "He said that he might be dead soon," said David Carlson, who called police. Boelter was appointed in 2016 to the Governor's Workforce Development Board, state records show. The board "has a responsibility to advise the Governor on Minnesota's workforce system," according to its website. Asked if Boelter knew the Democrat lawmakers, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans said: "We are still exploring that." "There's certainly some overlap with some public meetings, I will say, with Senator Hoffman and the individual. But we don't know the nature of the relationship or if they actually knew each other," he told reporters. Boelter listed himself as having no political party preference, however Carlson said Boelter voted for Trump, was a Christian and did not like abortion, though he added that the pair had not talked about the issue for a long time, adding: "He wasn't really angry about politics." In social media accounts, public records and websites reviewed by Reuters, Boelter described himself as a Christian minister, a security expert with experience in the Middle East and Africa, and a former employee of food service companies. He and his wife, Jennifer, also ran a security service called Praetorian Guard Security Services. Nonprofit tax filings show that Boelter and his wife ran a Christian ministry organisation called Revoformation. The most recent filing, in 2010, lists Boelter as president. After firing at police on Saturday, the suspect abandoned a vehicle in which officers found a "manifesto" and a list of other legislators and officials, law enforcement officials said. A manhunt is still underway for the suspect in the deadly shooting of a Minnesota state politician and the wounding of another, as details emerge of his background. Police say Vance Luther Boelter, 57, is suspected of killing Democratic Minnesota state legislator Melissa Hortman and her husband, and the shooting of State Senator John Hoffman and his wife. Hortman - the senior Democratic and former assembly speaker in Minnesota - was remembered by Governor Tim Walz as someone with "grace, compassion, and tirelessness." Among issues she focused on were environmental causes, racial equality, reproductive rights and stricter gun control. Advocacy groups pointed to her support for police reforms after the 2020 murder of George Floyd, a Black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes. She helped advance a legislation that banned police choke holds. Walz described the shooting as a "politically motivated assassination. Former US Vice President Kamala Harris described Hortman as an "outstanding public servant." Harris added: "She passed legislation that enshrined freedoms and increased opportunity for the people of Minnesota. I saw her impact firsthand when I was with her in Minnesota." Walz said he was cautiously optimistic that Senator Hoffman and his wife would survive "this assassination attempt" as they underwent surgery. Police responded to reports of gunfire at the Hoffmans' home shortly after 2 am, Champlin police said, and found the couple with multiple gunshot wounds. After seeing who the victims were, police sent officers to check on Hortman's home. There they encountered what appeared to be a police vehicle and a man dressed as an officer at the door, leaving the house. "When officers confronted him, the individual immediately fired upon the officers who exchanged gunfire, and the suspect retreated back into the home" and escaped, Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said. The FBI has offered a reward of up to $50,000 for information that could lead to his arrest. Boelter had links to evangelical ministries and said he was a security expert with experience in the Gaza Strip and Africa, according to his online postings and public records. A man who shared a house in Minneapolis with Boelter for a little more than a year, told Reuters he received a text from Boelter on Saturday. "He said that he might be dead soon," said David Carlson, who called police. Boelter was appointed in 2016 to the Governor's Workforce Development Board, state records show. The board "has a responsibility to advise the Governor on Minnesota's workforce system," according to its website. Asked if Boelter knew the Democrat lawmakers, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans said: "We are still exploring that." "There's certainly some overlap with some public meetings, I will say, with Senator Hoffman and the individual. But we don't know the nature of the relationship or if they actually knew each other," he told reporters. Boelter listed himself as having no political party preference, however Carlson said Boelter voted for Trump, was a Christian and did not like abortion, though he added that the pair had not talked about the issue for a long time, adding: "He wasn't really angry about politics." In social media accounts, public records and websites reviewed by Reuters, Boelter described himself as a Christian minister, a security expert with experience in the Middle East and Africa, and a former employee of food service companies. He and his wife, Jennifer, also ran a security service called Praetorian Guard Security Services. Nonprofit tax filings show that Boelter and his wife ran a Christian ministry organisation called Revoformation. The most recent filing, in 2010, lists Boelter as president. After firing at police on Saturday, the suspect abandoned a vehicle in which officers found a "manifesto" and a list of other legislators and officials, law enforcement officials said. A manhunt is still underway for the suspect in the deadly shooting of a Minnesota state politician and the wounding of another, as details emerge of his background. Police say Vance Luther Boelter, 57, is suspected of killing Democratic Minnesota state legislator Melissa Hortman and her husband, and the shooting of State Senator John Hoffman and his wife. Hortman - the senior Democratic and former assembly speaker in Minnesota - was remembered by Governor Tim Walz as someone with "grace, compassion, and tirelessness." Among issues she focused on were environmental causes, racial equality, reproductive rights and stricter gun control. Advocacy groups pointed to her support for police reforms after the 2020 murder of George Floyd, a Black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes. She helped advance a legislation that banned police choke holds. Walz described the shooting as a "politically motivated assassination. Former US Vice President Kamala Harris described Hortman as an "outstanding public servant." Harris added: "She passed legislation that enshrined freedoms and increased opportunity for the people of Minnesota. I saw her impact firsthand when I was with her in Minnesota." Walz said he was cautiously optimistic that Senator Hoffman and his wife would survive "this assassination attempt" as they underwent surgery. Police responded to reports of gunfire at the Hoffmans' home shortly after 2 am, Champlin police said, and found the couple with multiple gunshot wounds. After seeing who the victims were, police sent officers to check on Hortman's home. There they encountered what appeared to be a police vehicle and a man dressed as an officer at the door, leaving the house. "When officers confronted him, the individual immediately fired upon the officers who exchanged gunfire, and the suspect retreated back into the home" and escaped, Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said. The FBI has offered a reward of up to $50,000 for information that could lead to his arrest. Boelter had links to evangelical ministries and said he was a security expert with experience in the Gaza Strip and Africa, according to his online postings and public records. A man who shared a house in Minneapolis with Boelter for a little more than a year, told Reuters he received a text from Boelter on Saturday. "He said that he might be dead soon," said David Carlson, who called police. Boelter was appointed in 2016 to the Governor's Workforce Development Board, state records show. The board "has a responsibility to advise the Governor on Minnesota's workforce system," according to its website. Asked if Boelter knew the Democrat lawmakers, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans said: "We are still exploring that." "There's certainly some overlap with some public meetings, I will say, with Senator Hoffman and the individual. But we don't know the nature of the relationship or if they actually knew each other," he told reporters. Boelter listed himself as having no political party preference, however Carlson said Boelter voted for Trump, was a Christian and did not like abortion, though he added that the pair had not talked about the issue for a long time, adding: "He wasn't really angry about politics." In social media accounts, public records and websites reviewed by Reuters, Boelter described himself as a Christian minister, a security expert with experience in the Middle East and Africa, and a former employee of food service companies. He and his wife, Jennifer, also ran a security service called Praetorian Guard Security Services. Nonprofit tax filings show that Boelter and his wife ran a Christian ministry organisation called Revoformation. The most recent filing, in 2010, lists Boelter as president. After firing at police on Saturday, the suspect abandoned a vehicle in which officers found a "manifesto" and a list of other legislators and officials, law enforcement officials said. A manhunt is still underway for the suspect in the deadly shooting of a Minnesota state politician and the wounding of another, as details emerge of his background. Police say Vance Luther Boelter, 57, is suspected of killing Democratic Minnesota state legislator Melissa Hortman and her husband, and the shooting of State Senator John Hoffman and his wife. Hortman - the senior Democratic and former assembly speaker in Minnesota - was remembered by Governor Tim Walz as someone with "grace, compassion, and tirelessness." Among issues she focused on were environmental causes, racial equality, reproductive rights and stricter gun control. Advocacy groups pointed to her support for police reforms after the 2020 murder of George Floyd, a Black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes. She helped advance a legislation that banned police choke holds. Walz described the shooting as a "politically motivated assassination. Former US Vice President Kamala Harris described Hortman as an "outstanding public servant." Harris added: "She passed legislation that enshrined freedoms and increased opportunity for the people of Minnesota. I saw her impact firsthand when I was with her in Minnesota." Walz said he was cautiously optimistic that Senator Hoffman and his wife would survive "this assassination attempt" as they underwent surgery. Police responded to reports of gunfire at the Hoffmans' home shortly after 2 am, Champlin police said, and found the couple with multiple gunshot wounds. After seeing who the victims were, police sent officers to check on Hortman's home. There they encountered what appeared to be a police vehicle and a man dressed as an officer at the door, leaving the house. "When officers confronted him, the individual immediately fired upon the officers who exchanged gunfire, and the suspect retreated back into the home" and escaped, Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said. The FBI has offered a reward of up to $50,000 for information that could lead to his arrest. Boelter had links to evangelical ministries and said he was a security expert with experience in the Gaza Strip and Africa, according to his online postings and public records. A man who shared a house in Minneapolis with Boelter for a little more than a year, told Reuters he received a text from Boelter on Saturday. "He said that he might be dead soon," said David Carlson, who called police. Boelter was appointed in 2016 to the Governor's Workforce Development Board, state records show. The board "has a responsibility to advise the Governor on Minnesota's workforce system," according to its website. Asked if Boelter knew the Democrat lawmakers, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans said: "We are still exploring that." "There's certainly some overlap with some public meetings, I will say, with Senator Hoffman and the individual. But we don't know the nature of the relationship or if they actually knew each other," he told reporters. Boelter listed himself as having no political party preference, however Carlson said Boelter voted for Trump, was a Christian and did not like abortion, though he added that the pair had not talked about the issue for a long time, adding: "He wasn't really angry about politics." In social media accounts, public records and websites reviewed by Reuters, Boelter described himself as a Christian minister, a security expert with experience in the Middle East and Africa, and a former employee of food service companies. He and his wife, Jennifer, also ran a security service called Praetorian Guard Security Services. Nonprofit tax filings show that Boelter and his wife ran a Christian ministry organisation called Revoformation. The most recent filing, in 2010, lists Boelter as president. After firing at police on Saturday, the suspect abandoned a vehicle in which officers found a "manifesto" and a list of other legislators and officials, law enforcement officials said.
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- The Advertiser
Marines make first arrest in LA as more protests loom
US Marines deployed to Los Angeles have made their first detention of a civilian, part of a rare domestic use of its forces sent to the city after days of protests over immigration raids. The Marines joined National Guard forces already deployed to Los Angeles before nationwide demonstrations expected on Saturday in what might be the biggest backlash to President Donald Trump since he returned to power. About 200 Marines would protect a federal building in Los Angeles, Army Major General Scott Sherman, who is in command of both the National Guard and Marine forces, said on Friday. The administration has authorised 700 Marines to be deployed in the city. It is uncommon for active-duty troops to be used domestically during civil disturbances, the last time being for 1992's Los Angeles riots over the acquittal of police officers who beat Black motorist Rodney King. The Marines and National Guard deployed in Los Angeles are assigned to protect federal property and personnel and may temporarily detain people, but they are required to turn them over to civilian law enforcement for any formal arrest. "I would like to emphasise that the soldiers will not participate in law enforcement activities," Sherman said during a briefing. Reuters witnessed Marines detain one person at the Wilshire Federal Building, where the Marines had been posted. A Marine suddenly jumped over some benches and across a garden area to chase after a man, grabbed him and held him down until another Marine assisted him, and the man was later handed over to civilians from the Department of Homeland Security. Asked about the incident, the US military's Northern Command spokesperson said active duty forces "may temporarily detain an individual in specific circumstances". The detained man, Marcos Leao, 27, an immigrant and a US Army veteran, said he was told to get on the ground after venturing into a restricted area, as he crossed a line of yellow tape to avoid walking around the building. Leao told reporters he was an army veteran on his way to an office of the Department of Veterans Affairs when he crossed the yellow tape boundary and was asked to stop. "They treated me very fairly," Leao said, adding that he was told, "Understand, this is a whole stressful situation for everybody, and we all have a job." The appeals court ruling does not mean it will ultimately side with Trump, as the matter is scheduled for another hearing on Tuesday. "We saved L.A. Thank you for the Decision!!!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. The Trump administration "far overreached its authority", the California Attorney-General's office said. Democrats, including Newsom, have said the use of military force was unnecessary and an example of Trump's authoritarianism. Cities across the US were bracing for demonstrations on Saturday, when those also opposed to a weekend military parade in Washington are expected to take to the streets. Organisers of the "No Kings" events, formed as a counter to the military parade, expect about 1800 demonstrations. "They've defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights, and slashed our services," the group No Kings, which is organising the day of action, wrote on its website. US Marines deployed to Los Angeles have made their first detention of a civilian, part of a rare domestic use of its forces sent to the city after days of protests over immigration raids. The Marines joined National Guard forces already deployed to Los Angeles before nationwide demonstrations expected on Saturday in what might be the biggest backlash to President Donald Trump since he returned to power. About 200 Marines would protect a federal building in Los Angeles, Army Major General Scott Sherman, who is in command of both the National Guard and Marine forces, said on Friday. The administration has authorised 700 Marines to be deployed in the city. It is uncommon for active-duty troops to be used domestically during civil disturbances, the last time being for 1992's Los Angeles riots over the acquittal of police officers who beat Black motorist Rodney King. The Marines and National Guard deployed in Los Angeles are assigned to protect federal property and personnel and may temporarily detain people, but they are required to turn them over to civilian law enforcement for any formal arrest. "I would like to emphasise that the soldiers will not participate in law enforcement activities," Sherman said during a briefing. Reuters witnessed Marines detain one person at the Wilshire Federal Building, where the Marines had been posted. A Marine suddenly jumped over some benches and across a garden area to chase after a man, grabbed him and held him down until another Marine assisted him, and the man was later handed over to civilians from the Department of Homeland Security. Asked about the incident, the US military's Northern Command spokesperson said active duty forces "may temporarily detain an individual in specific circumstances". The detained man, Marcos Leao, 27, an immigrant and a US Army veteran, said he was told to get on the ground after venturing into a restricted area, as he crossed a line of yellow tape to avoid walking around the building. Leao told reporters he was an army veteran on his way to an office of the Department of Veterans Affairs when he crossed the yellow tape boundary and was asked to stop. "They treated me very fairly," Leao said, adding that he was told, "Understand, this is a whole stressful situation for everybody, and we all have a job." The appeals court ruling does not mean it will ultimately side with Trump, as the matter is scheduled for another hearing on Tuesday. "We saved L.A. Thank you for the Decision!!!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. The Trump administration "far overreached its authority", the California Attorney-General's office said. Democrats, including Newsom, have said the use of military force was unnecessary and an example of Trump's authoritarianism. Cities across the US were bracing for demonstrations on Saturday, when those also opposed to a weekend military parade in Washington are expected to take to the streets. Organisers of the "No Kings" events, formed as a counter to the military parade, expect about 1800 demonstrations. "They've defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights, and slashed our services," the group No Kings, which is organising the day of action, wrote on its website. US Marines deployed to Los Angeles have made their first detention of a civilian, part of a rare domestic use of its forces sent to the city after days of protests over immigration raids. The Marines joined National Guard forces already deployed to Los Angeles before nationwide demonstrations expected on Saturday in what might be the biggest backlash to President Donald Trump since he returned to power. About 200 Marines would protect a federal building in Los Angeles, Army Major General Scott Sherman, who is in command of both the National Guard and Marine forces, said on Friday. The administration has authorised 700 Marines to be deployed in the city. It is uncommon for active-duty troops to be used domestically during civil disturbances, the last time being for 1992's Los Angeles riots over the acquittal of police officers who beat Black motorist Rodney King. The Marines and National Guard deployed in Los Angeles are assigned to protect federal property and personnel and may temporarily detain people, but they are required to turn them over to civilian law enforcement for any formal arrest. "I would like to emphasise that the soldiers will not participate in law enforcement activities," Sherman said during a briefing. Reuters witnessed Marines detain one person at the Wilshire Federal Building, where the Marines had been posted. A Marine suddenly jumped over some benches and across a garden area to chase after a man, grabbed him and held him down until another Marine assisted him, and the man was later handed over to civilians from the Department of Homeland Security. Asked about the incident, the US military's Northern Command spokesperson said active duty forces "may temporarily detain an individual in specific circumstances". The detained man, Marcos Leao, 27, an immigrant and a US Army veteran, said he was told to get on the ground after venturing into a restricted area, as he crossed a line of yellow tape to avoid walking around the building. Leao told reporters he was an army veteran on his way to an office of the Department of Veterans Affairs when he crossed the yellow tape boundary and was asked to stop. "They treated me very fairly," Leao said, adding that he was told, "Understand, this is a whole stressful situation for everybody, and we all have a job." The appeals court ruling does not mean it will ultimately side with Trump, as the matter is scheduled for another hearing on Tuesday. "We saved L.A. Thank you for the Decision!!!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. The Trump administration "far overreached its authority", the California Attorney-General's office said. Democrats, including Newsom, have said the use of military force was unnecessary and an example of Trump's authoritarianism. Cities across the US were bracing for demonstrations on Saturday, when those also opposed to a weekend military parade in Washington are expected to take to the streets. Organisers of the "No Kings" events, formed as a counter to the military parade, expect about 1800 demonstrations. "They've defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights, and slashed our services," the group No Kings, which is organising the day of action, wrote on its website. US Marines deployed to Los Angeles have made their first detention of a civilian, part of a rare domestic use of its forces sent to the city after days of protests over immigration raids. The Marines joined National Guard forces already deployed to Los Angeles before nationwide demonstrations expected on Saturday in what might be the biggest backlash to President Donald Trump since he returned to power. About 200 Marines would protect a federal building in Los Angeles, Army Major General Scott Sherman, who is in command of both the National Guard and Marine forces, said on Friday. The administration has authorised 700 Marines to be deployed in the city. It is uncommon for active-duty troops to be used domestically during civil disturbances, the last time being for 1992's Los Angeles riots over the acquittal of police officers who beat Black motorist Rodney King. The Marines and National Guard deployed in Los Angeles are assigned to protect federal property and personnel and may temporarily detain people, but they are required to turn them over to civilian law enforcement for any formal arrest. "I would like to emphasise that the soldiers will not participate in law enforcement activities," Sherman said during a briefing. Reuters witnessed Marines detain one person at the Wilshire Federal Building, where the Marines had been posted. A Marine suddenly jumped over some benches and across a garden area to chase after a man, grabbed him and held him down until another Marine assisted him, and the man was later handed over to civilians from the Department of Homeland Security. Asked about the incident, the US military's Northern Command spokesperson said active duty forces "may temporarily detain an individual in specific circumstances". The detained man, Marcos Leao, 27, an immigrant and a US Army veteran, said he was told to get on the ground after venturing into a restricted area, as he crossed a line of yellow tape to avoid walking around the building. Leao told reporters he was an army veteran on his way to an office of the Department of Veterans Affairs when he crossed the yellow tape boundary and was asked to stop. "They treated me very fairly," Leao said, adding that he was told, "Understand, this is a whole stressful situation for everybody, and we all have a job." The appeals court ruling does not mean it will ultimately side with Trump, as the matter is scheduled for another hearing on Tuesday. "We saved L.A. Thank you for the Decision!!!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. The Trump administration "far overreached its authority", the California Attorney-General's office said. Democrats, including Newsom, have said the use of military force was unnecessary and an example of Trump's authoritarianism. Cities across the US were bracing for demonstrations on Saturday, when those also opposed to a weekend military parade in Washington are expected to take to the streets. Organisers of the "No Kings" events, formed as a counter to the military parade, expect about 1800 demonstrations. "They've defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights, and slashed our services," the group No Kings, which is organising the day of action, wrote on its website.
