Having been deployed to Los Angeles by President Donald Trump in order to quell protests against ICE, U.S. Marines detained their first civilian on Friday: an Army veteran on his way to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., has continued to defend himself and refute the claims by the Trump administration that he crashed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's news conference before federal officers shoved him outside the room, pushed him onto the floor and handcuffed him.

Maj. Gen. Scott Sherman, commander of Task Force 51 who is overseeing the 4,700 troops deployed, said Friday that the Marines have finished training on civil disturbance.

The unprecedented mobilization of Marines in Los Angeles and threats from a Florida law enforcement official to kill protesters took place on the eve of mass demonstrations across the country against the attempt by Donald Trump to establish a military dictatorship in the US.

While the president contends that the L.A. protests against his immigration policy have been chaotic, the scenes are not as violent.

The development comes a day after an appeals court temporarily blocked a judge’s order that directed President Trump to return control of the California National Guard.

San Francisco — A federal court hearing is scheduled for Thursday on whether the Trump administration can use the National Guard and Marines to assist with immigration raids in Los Angeles.

Protesters and police have faced off in Los Angeles, and anti-ICE protests are popping up across the country. Follow for live updates.