Statement on the Use of Military Force in Los Angeles
As a veteran of the U.S. Army, I am deeply disturbed by the recent deployment of federalized National Guard troops and active-duty Marines to Los Angeles in response to protests against ICE operations. While I unequivocally condemn violence and criminal acts, the decision to deploy warfighters on American soil should be made with the utmost caution and deliberation—just as we would before engaging in any military action abroad.
The use of military force in domestic affairs is governed by strict legal frameworks. The Insurrection Act of 1807 permits the president to deploy troops only in cases of insurrection or rebellion. Similarly, 10 U.S.C. § 12406 allows for the federalization of the National Guard under specific circumstances, such as invasion or rebellion. In this instance, there was no insurrection, rebellion, or invasion that would justify such a deployment.
Moreover, the Posse Comitatus Act prohibits the use of federal military personnel to enforce domestic policies without explicit congressional authorization. You can read more about this law here.
The decision to override the authority of California’s governor and deploy troops without state consent sets a dangerous precedent. It risks eroding public trust in our military institutions and undermines the principles of federalism upon which our nation was founded.
We must be vigilant in preserving the integrity of our democratic institutions and the rule of law. Deploying military forces against our own citizens, absent a clear and present danger, threatens the very values and principles we have sworn to uphold.
I urge all Americans to reflect on the implications of such actions and to advocate for a government that respects the constitutional boundaries of its authority.