Stop Trump from Deploying the Military Within the U.S.

Donald Trump’s consideration of deploying the U.S. military for domestic enforcement poses a significant threat to democracy and civil liberties. In response, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Richard Blumenthal have urged President Biden and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to issue a directive limiting the use of military personnel for domestic purposes.

The Insurrection Act grants the president authority to deploy the military domestically under specific circumstances. However, without clear safeguards, this power could be misused to suppress protests, intimidate political opponents, and erode democratic norms. The senators emphasize that any deployment of federal forces should occur only when state or local authorities are overwhelmed and unable to ensure public safety.

During his first term, Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act in response to protests and considered declaring martial law after his election defeat. More recently, he has suggested using the military to deport immigrants and relocating troops from overseas to the southern border. Such actions reflect a pattern of prioritizing power over democratic principles.

Issuing a directive now would clarify the limits of presidential authority and reaffirm the military’s role as a nonpartisan institution dedicated to defending the nation—not serving as a tool of political intimidation. This move would protect both the military’s integrity and the rights of all Americans.

We call on President Biden and Secretary Austin to issue a directive prohibiting the deployment of the military within the U.S. for political purposes. This directive is critical to ensuring that the armed forces remain committed to their constitutional mission, not co-opted for authoritarian overreach.

Sign this petition to demand action before it’s too late. Together, we can protect democracy and ensure that the U.S. military is never used to suppress the rights of the American people.