Congress Must Block Troops In U S Cities

I write with urgent concern over President Trump’s announced deployment of U.S. troops to Portland, Oregon and to ICE facilities nationwide. He has authorized them to use “full force.” This is an escalation without legal basis or factual justification, and it demands immediate congressional action. No Justification - Only Risk The administration portrays Portland as “war-ravaged” and ICE facilities as “under siege.” Local leaders confirm there is no breakdown in law enforcement and no state request for troops. Portland’s mayor has called the move “overreach and distraction.” In reality, crime is down, federal property is already protected, and this military presence risks inflaming tensions, chilling free speech, and establishing a precedent for partisan militarization of domestic affairs. The rhetoric of crisis appears less about reality and more about creating a pretext for domestic military use. No Legal Authority The Posse Comitatus Act bars active-duty military from civilian policing. The Insurrection Act allows narrow exceptions but only with formal proclamation, state request, or extraordinary conditions. None exist here. Oregon’s governor has opposed the deployment, and no public document has been produced to justify it. Without congressional authorization, these troop deployments represent executive overreach. Congress Must Act Forcefully Congress cannot treat this as business as usual. To preserve constitutional guardrails, I urge you to: 1. Pass a joint resolution demanding withdrawal of all troops from Portland and ICE facilities. 2. Cut off funding for unauthorized domestic military use in appropriations and defense bills. 3. Compel transparency by subpoenaing the legal memorandum, any proclamation, and rules of engagement. 4. Hold immediate hearings with Defense, DHS, and White House officials under oath. 5. Amend the Insurrection Act to require congressional approval, strict time limits, and state certification before domestic military use. 6. Support state and city litigation against unlawful deployments and file amicus briefs reinforcing federalism and civil liberties. 7. Issue bipartisan statements condemning these actions, signaling clearly that Congress rejects domestic militarization. The Stakes The presence of troops on city streets, under ambiguous orders, is not policy - it is a direct challenge to our system of laws. Congress must act now to block this abuse of power, defend civilian authority, and protect the democratic institutions that sustain us.