Elizabeth Warren calls for taking steps to limit the use of active-duty troops against Americans
In response to Donald Trump’s statements about how he would use the U.S. Military domestically, Senator Elizabeth Warrren urged Joe Biden and Lloyd Austin to action. Warren is calling for steps to be taken to limit the use of active-duty military personnel against Americans. Together with Richard Blumenthal, Warren called on a policy directive defining the Federal Insurrection Act to apply to narrow cases.
From WGBH:
Warren and Blumenthal also suggested that the policy directive specify that presidents should consult with Congress “to the maximum extent practicable” before deploying the military under the Insurrection Act, and convey that any military domestically deployed are bound by the Standing Rules for the Use of Force “and cannot violate the writ of habeas corpus, federal law, or where applicable, federal or state law.”
As the letter notes, Trump has repeatedly spoken of using the military for domestic purposes, including securing the border and quashing protests. He also said prior to winning reelection that he would be a dictator on his first day in office but not afterward, and has described his political opponents as the “enemy within.”
Warren and Blumenthal argue that the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Trump v. United States — which found that presidents enjoy broad immunity from criminal prosecution for the commission of official acts — make it especially important to limit Trump’s future use of the Insurrection Act.
“If unaddressed, any ambiguity on the lawful use of military force, coupled with President-elect Trump’s demonstrated intent to utilize the military in such dangerous and unprecedented ways, may prove to be devastating,” they wrote.
Asked if Trump could simply reverse any policy directive created by Biden, Warren told GBH News: “No policy fight is ever one and done. This action would set up a future warning alarm and force the next Trump Administration to justify any expansion of the military’s role against its fellow citizens.”
Additional Reading:
Reilly, A. (2024, December 2). Warren urges Biden to limit Trump’s ability to use US military against Americans. WGBH. Link.
Category: Donald Trump, Military issues
