No ‘Full Force’ Against Americans: Uphold the Posse Comitatus Act

I am writing as a constituent to express my deep concern about President Trump’s September 27 announcement directing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to send U.S. troops into Portland, Oregon, with authorization for “full force, if necessary.” As you know, the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 limits the use of federal military forces to enforce domestic law, and the Insurrection Act provides only narrow exceptions. Authorizing “full force” against Americans raises serious constitutional and civil-liberties concerns, especially without a clear legal justification or a request from state or local officials. Portland leaders have already warned that a military presence could escalate tensions rather than calm them. Pentagon officials themselves have reportedly expressed uncertainty about what “full force” means in practice. This ambiguity risks harming civilians and putting service members in untenable positions. The United States has long prided itself on civilian control of the military and on safeguarding the rights of its people—even in moments of unrest. Allowing active-duty troops to act as a domestic police force threatens that tradition and sets a dangerous precedent for future administrations of either party. I respectfully urge you to: Demand full transparency from the Administration about the legal basis, scope, and rules of engagement for any deployment of federal troops to U.S. cities. Exercise congressional oversight to ensure that constitutional protections and federalism principles are upheld. Support legislation, hearings, or resolutions that reinforce the long-standing limits on using the U.S. military for domestic law enforcement. Thank you for your service and for protecting the constitutional guardrails that keep our democracy strong. I would appreciate your response outlining what steps you are taking to ensure that military power is not misused against Americans.