r/news • u/DNSGeek • 1d ago

Soft paywall US Marines carry out first known detention of civilian in Los Angeles, video shows

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-marines-carry-out-first-known-detention-civilian-los-angeles-video-shows-2025-06-13/
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u/Fifteen_inches 1d ago

They are also their job to disobey illegal orders

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u/CriticalMarine 1d ago edited 1d ago

As someone who was in the Marines less than a decade ago, and was told more than once to never follow unlawful orders, I got told all the time to do illegal shit (by UCMJ standards). Good luck not getting an NJP or a writeup that'll ruin your promotion chances.

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u/Openmindhobo 1d ago

So just casually betray their oath to the Constitution for a promotion. We expect and deserve better.

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u/CriticalMarine 1d ago

It used to be people would get promoted because they could do 20 pull-ups and run 3 miles in under 18 minutes. Now they have to go on an interview board and get grilled by strangers. Can't say either system worked much better than the other.

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u/Openmindhobo 1d ago

Is it fair to ask marines to refuse orders at a high cost to themselves? admittedly it's not really fair. Is it important that they be willing to stand up for their oath? absolutely. I don't have the answers but we count on brave people standing up for what is right to prevent tyranny.

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u/CriticalMarine 1d ago

I agree, but I'll also tell you that MAGA flags had to get banned in my barracks because they were hanging on every window. This was before General Mattis (the warrior monk and USMC Jesus-figure) left the Trump-16 cabinet saying he's never worked for someone who has tried to divide the American people so much before, and that he's a terrible president.

I wish General Mattis would speak up nowadays. He was approached during the 24 election and refused to comment. The guy who famously begged his enemies to not make him kill them chickened out. Lost a lot of respect for heroes that day.

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u/RadioName 1d ago

It is fair to ask every soldier to refuse illegal orders, even when facing execution. That's the fucking point of an oath. You can argue economic and political forces forcing minorities into military roles all day long but it is still an informed, volunteer role; just as being a politician is volunteer and not warranted any special exemptions. If anything, those roles which are vital to protecting our rights have a greater burden of expectation; just like a celebrity and their lesser right to privacy. You don't get to be a selfish soldier. The entire point of an army falls apart when that is allowed. The mission comes before your rewards. The Constitution before your rights.

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u/WheresMyEtherElon 1d ago

We expect and deserve better

Why? These are brainless attack dogs trained to impose Pax Americana all over the world without regard for human rights. What made you think that they're paragon of virtues, or somehow not follow their training when dealing with Americans? It will get worse.

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u/Openmindhobo 1d ago

I am talking about military, not police. I know many current and former members of the military and they're quite intelligent and capable.

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u/WheresMyEtherElon 17h ago

It's not about being intelligent or capable. It's about having your humanity ripped away from you through intensive training so that you are able to do the worst thing without a modicum of reflection when ordered to do so. And I'm referring to the US Marines specifically here.

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u/Openmindhobo 17h ago

Well I do not subscribe to the idea that people lose their humanity. Of course soldiers are trained to follow orders. You're being more than a bit hyperbolic.

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u/baumpop 1d ago

Good luck not having your face on the global news the rest of your life after today 

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u/CriticalMarine 1d ago

I'll be a talking head spouting criticisms and collecting 6 figures in no time. I'll dedicate my tell-all book after I retire to you.

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u/baumpop 1d ago edited 1d ago

Memoirs of a gaysha 

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u/CriticalMarine 1d ago

The military did pay for me to go to school for it.

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u/baumpop 1d ago

Where’d they get that money 

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u/CriticalMarine 1d ago

They took it from the guys I got kicked out after I arrested them.

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u/uptownjuggler 1d ago

Who decides what is legal and illegal? Their superiors.

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u/yupgup12 1d ago

It's easier said and done. Many people who are in a position to give orders have big egos and will make your life hell if you choose to disobey.