146 upvotes, 14 direct replies (showing 14)
Summary Statement: In the United States the military is not considered the President's personal tool. Under very specific circumstance the president may use the military and it has been done before - most recently in 1992 because it is very rarely invoked.
The Constitution prohibits domestic use of the U.S. military unless the country is invaded or the president declares that an insurrection is occurring. The 1878 Posse Comitatus Act further restricts the American military from getting involved in law enforcement, unless Congress legislates it or the president invokes the Insurrection Act.
Americans have not had to face military threats to democracy in the past and the military has always been considered non-partisan.
The Framers of the Constitution shared authority over the military among elected officials to ensure no one person has unchecked power to direct the military[1], and that the actions of the military are beholden to the public it serves. They swear allegiance to the Constitution not a person. A politicized military would have trouble recruiting and maintaining the trust of the public and other countries.
The question then becomes when is it appropriate to invoke the Insurrection Act and who controls that power?
Comment by Tavernknight at 02/12/2024 at 02:38 UTC
139 upvotes, 15 direct replies
Trump will declare that an insurrection is occurring and a MAGA congress and senate will back him.
Comment by AMv8-1day at 02/12/2024 at 05:49 UTC
10 upvotes, 0 direct replies
No F'g way had Trump ever even heard of the word "Insurrection" until he committed one. And just like every other criminal act and political scheme he's been made aware of over the past 8 years, he will immediately try to abuse it, while running the word into the ground, accusing the Dems of doing it him, until the word loses all meaning in the news.
If you ever want to understand the thought process of this stupid piece of shit, ask a cranky toddler what they would do.
Comment by skipskedaddle at 02/12/2024 at 17:06 UTC
5 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Hitler and his supporters considered it appropriate to invoke emergency powers in 1933, making him a dictator.
Comment by diegojones4 at 02/12/2024 at 02:35 UTC
8 upvotes, 3 direct replies
This is just one of those things you watch play out. I trust the military. They will follow the constitution and make sure not to jeopardize preparedness.
Comment by LunarMoon2001 at 03/12/2024 at 09:51 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
It’s only unconstitutional as far as our biased SCOTUS decides.
Comment by Secret-Put-4525 at 03/12/2024 at 17:13 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
If the president can declare it, trump will declare it. Done.
Comment by Phill_Cyberman at 03/12/2024 at 23:18 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
The rule of law only exists if it is enforced.
The Republicans have demonstrated again and again that they won't enforce the law when Republicans violate the law.
Comment by No_Coms_K at 04/12/2024 at 00:37 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
This is the last of the apocalypse locks. Let us hope it holds.
Comment by reddit4getit at 05/12/2024 at 00:53 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
The question then becomes when is it appropriate to invoke the Insurrection Act and who controls that power?
The summer 2020 riots were a good time.
Mayors and governors allowing the citizenry to destroy public businesses, fight the local police, burn down property, day after day.
That's why he sent the federal officers into Portland.
Comment by crawlerstone at 05/12/2024 at 03:51 UTC
1 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Umm a little off. He is commander and chief.
Comment by Mjr3 at 05/12/2024 at 09:05 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
There’s no one left to enforce the law, so it doesn’t matter
Comment by OutrageousPersimmon3 at 06/12/2024 at 03:04 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I keep reading these kinds of articles and they have this, "calm down," kind of tone but never seem to address what he's doing to get around it all. And let's be honest. How well known is our military nowadays for being non-partisan?
Comment by foolish-life-choices at 06/12/2024 at 05:32 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Because he's all about following the rules and the country has bent over backwards to allow him to never face any consequences.
Everything you said logically makes sense, but everything about what has happened, defies all said logic. So rules don't apply to him and he's proved he can find ways around it. The same where he found himself back on the ballot
Comment by STEMguyRetd at 02/12/2024 at 21:44 UTC
0 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Better summary: "checks, balances, propriety, civility didn't work 2016-2020. They also won't work now."