1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

I’m writing because it appears the Trump administration is attempting to utilize martial law without formally enacting it. The Washington Post reported that the administration is considering a full-time “Domestic Civil Disturbance Quick Reaction Force” of 600 National Guard troops kept on constant standby, ready to deploy into U.S. cities facing protests. This raises serious concerns about the erosion of the long-standing separation between civilian law enforcement and the military. The Posse Comitatus Act was designed to prevent the military from directly policing Americans, and calling it a “quick reaction force” fools no one. This unbalanced idea opens the door for political abuse, allowing an administration to deploy such a force selectively, cracking down on protests it opposes while ignoring unrest aligned with its own political base, Jan 6th for example. The presence of a military-trained, heavily armed unit on standby would have a chilling effect on free speech, deterring people from exercising their First Amendment rights, particularly in marginalized communities that have historically faced disproportionate force. Once normalized, a constant domestic military readiness can quickly shift to a standard tool of governance, making its use far easier to justify in the future. Finally, under federal control, National Guard deployments answer directly to the president rather than local officials, bypassing local oversight entirely. This plan moves the United States toward a permanent domestic military presence. History has proven that this action is hardly ever rolled back. It’s one more example of the fascist regime this administration is attempting to run. I’m insisting that Congress do its job as checks and balances. Put a stop to this presidential overreaching madness!