Huffman Joins 42 Democrats To Warn President Against Unlawful Deployment of Troops in American Cities

Huffman Joins 42 Democrats To Warn President Against Unlawful Deployment of Troops in American Cities

Washington, D.C. - Following reports that the Trump administration is considering invocation of the Insurrection Act to deploy active-duty military forces for domestic law enforcement, Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-02) joined 42 Democratic colleagues in calling on President Trump publicly to warn him against such unlawful action. After Trump's ill-advised and overreaching deployment of National Guard in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., Democrats are fighting back on behalf of American citizens and military personnel.

In a letter to Trump, the lawmakers issued a stark warning:

"We write with grave concern regarding reports that your Administration is considering invocation of the Insurrection Act to deploy active-duty military forces for domestic law enforcement. Such an action would represent a profound departure from our constitutional traditions and limits established under the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits the use of the United States military, including National Guard troops called into federal service, in civilian law enforcement except in the narrowest and most extraordinary circumstances," the lawmakers wrote.

"We therefore urge you, in the strongest possible terms, to refrain from any action that would violate the Posse Comitatus Act or undermine the principle of civilian governance. We remind you that your oath of office requires you to 'preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States,' not to disregard it," the lawmakers continued.

The letter was signed by the following representatives: Mike Thompson, Ami Bera; André Carson; Gilbert Cisneros; Steve Cohen; Herbert Conaway; Jason Crow; Madeleine Dean; Christopher Deluzio; Mark DeSaulnier; Lloyd Doggett; Dwight Evans; John Garamendi; Al Green; Jahana Hayes; Jared Huffman; Jonathan Jackson; Sara Jacobs; Henry Johnson; Julie Johnson; Ro Khanna; Raja Krishnamoorthi; Sam Liccardo; Ted Lieu; Zoe Lofgren; Seth Magaziner; Doris Matsui; James McGovern; Dave Min; Seth Moulton; Kevin Mullin; Jerrold Nadler; Eleanor Holmes Norton; Jimmy Panetta; Mark Pocan; Mike Quigley; Robert Scott; Brad Sherman; Shri Thanedar; Dina Titus; Rashida Tlaib; Norma Torres; and Derek Tran.

Read the full letter here and below.

President Trump:

We write with grave concern regarding reports that your Administration is considering invocation of the Insurrection Act to deploy active-duty military forces for domestic law enforcement. Such an action would represent a profound departure from our constitutional traditions and limits established under the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits the use of the United States military, including National Guard troops called into federal service, in civilian law enforcement except in the narrowest and most extraordinary circumstances.

The Insurrection Act may only be invoked when a state requests federal assistance, when there is an active rebellion against the United States, or when inhabitants of a state are being deprived of constitutionally protected rights and the state is unable or unwilling to protect them. None of these conditions currently exist.

Threatening or preparing to use the military against the American people is both inappropriate and deeply irresponsible. Moreover, your Administration's rhetoric and subsequent actions singling out communities and states led by elected officials of the opposing political party only deepens the perception that such actions would be politically motivated rather than grounded in law.

We therefore urge you, in the strongest possible terms, to refrain from any action that would violate the Posse Comitatus Act or undermine the principle of civilian governance. We remind you that your oath of office requires you to "preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States," not to disregard it.

Thank you for your attention to this serious matter.

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