Trump Threatens to Deploy Military Under Insurrection Act Amid Rising Tensions

Trump Threatens to Invoke Insurrection Act Amidst Growing Tensions with State Leaders In a move that has sparked widespread concern, President Donald Trump on Monday afternoon hinted at invoking the Insurrection Act to deploy military forces in U.S. cities, citing resistance from judges and state leaders who have thwarted his plans to send troops to blue states. According to sources, Trump's comments were made during a meeting with reporters in the Oval Office, where he emphasized that the law was intended for use in extreme circumstances. "We have an Insurrection Act for a reason," Trump said. "If I had to enact it, I'd do it if people were being killed and courts were holding us up, or governors or mayors were holding us up." The threat has been met with alarm from civil liberties groups and lawmakers who fear the move would mark a significant escalation of executive power. "This is a clear attempt by the administration to bypass the rule of law and disregard the constitutional checks on its authority," said Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), who has been vocal in his opposition to Trump's plans. The Insurrection Act, which allows the president to deploy military forces to maintain order in times of civil unrest or insurrection, has been invoked only a handful of times since its passage in 1807. Its use would mark a significant departure from established protocol and raise concerns about the potential for abuse of power. Background context suggests that Trump's comments are linked to recent court rulings blocking his efforts to send troops to Portland, Oregon, where protests against police brutality have been ongoing. The move has been seen as an attempt by the administration to exert control over state governments and local law enforcement agencies. Additional perspectives from experts highlight the potential consequences of invoking the Insurrection Act. "This would be a catastrophic mistake," said University of California, Berkeley Law Professor John Yoo, who served in the Bush administration. "It would set a precedent for future presidents to use military force against American citizens, undermining the very fabric of our democracy." The current status of Trump's plans remains unclear, with White House officials declining to comment on further developments. However, sources indicate that the administration is exploring options for invoking the Insurrection Act in response to ongoing protests and court challenges. As tensions continue to escalate between the federal government and state leaders, one thing is clear: the fate of American cities hangs in the balance. *Reporting by Theintercept.*