123 upvotes, 6 direct replies (showing 6)
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
125 upvotes, 8 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
7 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
3 upvotes, 0 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
9 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 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."