General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsRegarding Trump's Executive Order To Use Military As Police
Found on Facebook-
"As a former constitutional law professor and a retired police officer, I am terrified by the new executive order, Strengthening and Unleashing Americas Law Enforcement to Pursue Criminals and Protect Innocent Citizens.
Heres why:
This order does not simply support law enforcement
it removes many of the constitutional guardrails that were put in place for the protection of the people, not the government.
It allows the military to assist police forces on U.S. soil. Under the Posse Comitatus Act, using the military for domestic law enforcement has always been off-limits unless Congress specifically approves it. Theres a reason for that: Military forces are trained for war, not for community policing. When soldiers are used like police officers, history shows it leads to violations of civil rights, unnecessary violence, and fear among civilians.
It shields officers from accountability. The order directs the federal government to provide legal support and protections to officers accused of wrongdoing, even when they violate someones rights. Imagine youre unlawfully arrested, injured, or have your home searched without a warrant and the officer responsible faces zero consequences because the government has pre-emptively protected them. Thats not justice. Thats a blank check for abuse.
It punishes local leaders for trying to protect their communities. If a mayor or police chief decides to implement reforms that prioritize de-escalation, racial equity, or better community relations, they could now be criminally prosecuted under this order if their decisions are viewed as obstructing law enforcement. Thats not democracy. Thats authoritarianism.
This executive order bypasses the Constitution.
The Fourth Amendment (which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures), the Fourteenth Amendment (which guarantees due process), and the First Amendment (which protects peaceful protest) are all threatened if unchecked federal power can steamroll local protections.
When law enforcement is unleashed without constitutional restraints, it doesnt make anyone safer. It makes everyone more vulnerable, especially those already marginalized or without political power.
We have seen this story before, in other countries and in our own darker chapters of history.
When the government arms itself against its own people and shields itself from accountability, freedom dies
not with a bang, but quietly, one emergency measure at a time.
I took an oath to uphold the Constitution
not to protect power, but to protect people.
That oath doesnt end when you hang up the badge or leave the classroom.
Its why I am speaking up now.
This executive order is not about law and order. Its about power and control.
And every single person in the US and abroad should be alarmed."
Signed yesterday, this EO effectively sets up Trump's ability to successfully enact the Insurrection Act of 1807 and declare martial law without resistance. Installing military in local jurisdictions without the approval or over the objection of state and local governments and enabling law enforcement and military to act without impediment or concern for legality or punishment. It also allows for the arrest of state and local officials who do not comply.
Link to the White House page on the Executive Order.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/strengthening-and-unleashing-americas-law-enforcement-to-pursue-criminals-and-protect-innocent-citizens/?utm_source=wh_social_share_button

CitizenZero
(920 posts)Someone in another thread suggested that State National Guard are under the control of that State's Governor, not the Federal Government. Here is some clarification for those that do not know--
Legally, a President can federalize, or take control over State National Guard units. States can also have something called a State Defense Force, which is under the sole command of the State Governor, and can not be federalized like the State National Guard. The State Defense Forces are essentially State Militia. For example, the State Defense Force in New York is called the New York Guard. Unfortunately, their numbers are very small and negligible compared to the U.S. Military and the National Guard. My thought is that perhaps Blue State Governors could expand their respective State Defense Forces but I am not sure how realistic that is and how quickly it could be done.
Here are links to the Wikipedia articles on the New York Guard and the State Defense Force
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Guard
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_defense_force
choie
(5,394 posts)Clouds Passing
(4,547 posts)CitizenZero
(920 posts)While I am concerned that military might be ordered to fire on protestors, my main concern is that military with police powers will go house to house to search for "anti-American" "enemies of the state" and arrest them. To be taken to a prison or a camp. Of course, we who resist this tyranny are the real Americans, and Trump and his gang of MAGA criminals are the real traitors-- Traitors to America and the Constitution.
CitizenZero
(920 posts)States should pass laws blocking the use of the federal military as law enforcement in their state jurisdictions. State police and state defense forces should be bolstered and trained to oppose this tyrannical federal overreach.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_defense_force