1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I am writing to express urgent concern about the Pentagon directive signed on October 8 by Maj Gen Ronald Burkett ordering all 50 states, DC, and US territories to establish quick reaction forces trained in riot control. This order requires most states to train 500 national guard members each, creating a force of 23,500 troops nationwide to be operational by January 1, 2026. This directive represents a dangerous expansion of federal military power over civilian populations. The order explicitly cites the August executive order deploying the guard to fight crime in Washington DC, establishing a troubling precedent for federal deployment of military forces in domestic law enforcement. The training includes batons, body shields, Tasers, and pepper spray, equipment designed for crowd suppression rather than emergency response. My primary concerns center on constitutional violations and threats to fundamental rights. The creation of a nationwide militarized force under federal direction blurs the line between military and civilian law enforcement in ways that violate the Posse Comitatus Act's principles. The timing raises serious questions about potential deployment during the 2026 midterm elections to suppress voter turnout or intimidate citizens exercising their franchise. Additionally, this force could be used to suppress constitutionally protected speech and assembly, particularly during protests. While quick reaction forces have been created after natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina, this proactive establishment of a permanent, nationwide force without specific emergency justification is unprecedented in recent decades. The memo's requirement for a specialized military police battalion within the DC National Guard further concentrates military power in the nation's capital. I urge you to take immediate action to oppose this directive. Specifically, I request that you cosponsor or introduce legislation to defund this program, demand congressional hearings on the constitutional implications, and support articles of impeachment under Article 2, Section 4 against officials authorizing this unconstitutional deployment of military force against American citizens. Our democracy depends on maintaining clear boundaries between military power and civilian governance.