President Donald Trump’s recent actions have sparked debate over the Posse Comitatus Act, a law from 1878 that limits military involvement in domestic affairs. VERBATIM: On Tuesday, about 800 National Guard troops arrived in Washington, D.C., after President Trump declared that they were needed to reduce crime in the Disrict. Meanwhile, a California judge is […]
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The Posse-Comitatus Act
President Donald Trump’s recent actions have sparked debate over the Posse Comitatus Act, a law from 1878 that limits military involvement in domestic affairs.
VERBATIM:
On Tuesday, about 800 National Guard troops arrived in Washington, D.C., after President Trump declared that they were needed to reduce crime in the Disrict. Meanwhile, a California judge is reviewing whether Mr. Trump’s federalization of Guard personnel in Los Angeles during immigration protests violated this law.
The Posse Comitatus Act prevents the military from enforcing domestic laws unless bypassed by Congress or under the Insurrection Act. Experts say the law’s enforcement has clear limitations and remains largely untested.
Posse Comitatus can be bypassed by a congressional vote or in order to defend the Constitution.
Bernie Bennett, Washington.