Uphold Posse Comitatus Act: Prevent Military Involvement in Domestic Policing

I am writing to express my deep concern about recent deployments of federal troops for domestic law enforcement purposes, which appear to violate the spirit, if not the letter, of the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878. This crucial law has long served as a bulwark against the use of our military for domestic policing, a separation that is fundamental to our democracy. The Posse Comitatus Act explicitly prohibits federal troops from carrying out law enforcement functions unless specifically authorized by Congress. Recent events, including deployments in Washington D.C., Portland, and at the U.S.-Mexico border, have pushed the boundaries of this law and its exceptions, such as the Insurrection Act. These deployments are not only legally questionable but also potentially dangerous. Using military forces for domestic policing risks escalating tensions, violating civil liberties, and eroding the trust between our communities and law enforcement. Moreover, it puts our service members in the difficult position of potentially receiving unlawful orders. I urge you to take immediate action to prevent further misuse of our military for domestic law enforcement. This includes: 1. Investigating recent deployments for potential violations of the Posse Comitatus Act. 2. Strengthening oversight mechanisms to ensure strict adherence to the act. 3. Clarifying and potentially limiting the scope of exceptions like the Insurrection Act. 4. Supporting legislation that reinforces the separation of military and domestic policing roles. The preservation of our civil liberties and the proper role of our military in a democratic society are at stake. We must act now to uphold the principles that have guided our nation for over a century. I look forward to hearing about the steps you will take to address this critical issue.