Demilitarize local police, invest in community-based public safety

The administration's reckless proposal to deploy military assets and personnel for law enforcement duties in local communities is tantamount to declaring martial law. Having armed soldiers and combat equipment intended for warfare on American streets is a profound violation of civil liberties and an unacceptable militarization of domestic policing. Not only would this breed further mistrust between law enforcement and residents, it risks innocent lives being caught in the crossfire and subjects citizens to military rules of engagement never intended for civilian populations. There are grave risks of escalating violence and legal overreach when the warfare state is allowed to seep into community policing in this manner. I implore you to halt any efforts toward involving active-duty military forces or resources in civilian law enforcement activities within the United States. The community is best served when law enforcement prioritizes protecting and serving residents through constitutional means, not by deploying combat troops and weaponry against them.