1. United States
2. Letter

I understand that Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Richard Blumenthal, both members of the Armed Services Committee, have sent a letter dated Nov. 26 to both you and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin urging you to issue a policy directive that would ensure that U.S. troops can be used only when local or state authorities ask for federal help or are unable or unwilling to protect the public. Trump has suggested he would use the U.S. military to help deport immigrants who do not have permanent legal status. He has also said he would move U.S. troops from overseas and station them on the southern border. And he has repeatedly talked about using troops to go after “the enemy from within.” Federal troops are prohibited from engaging in domestic law enforcement by the Posse Comitatus Act, an 1878 law that bars the president from using the military for such a purpose unless it is expressly authorized by the Constitution or an act of Congress. It’s important that this Act be adhered to. Again, please issue a policy directive that would ensure that U.S. troops can be used only when local or state authorities ask for federal help or are unable or unwilling to protect the public. Even if Trump immediately acts to reverse this directive, Americans’ attention would be drawn to this important issue. Please do all you can to protect us from the assaults on norms sure to come under a Trump Presidency. Thank you.