Trump Considers Invoking Insurrection Act to Deploy Troops in US Cities
President Donald Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act, an 1807 law, to deploy more troops into Democratic-led U.S. cities. This move intensifies his rhetoric amid legal challenges to his attempts to mobilize the military in cities like Portland and Chicago.
The Insurrection Act and Court Challenges
The Republican leader openly mulled using the Insurrection Act after a federal judge in Oregon temporarily halted a National Guard deployment in Portland. Conversely, a judge in Illinois allowed a similar move to proceed, for now, in Chicago. These conflicting court rulings underscore the legal complexities surrounding Trump’s efforts.
Trump stated, "We have an Insurrection Act for a reason. If I had to enact it I would do that. If people were being killed and courts were holding us up or governors or mayors were holding us up, sure I would do that." He views the Act as a way to circumvent opposition to these deployments.
Resistance from Democratic Officials
Democratic officials, including Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, have strongly resisted the National Guard deployments. Pritzker accused the president of causing chaos and confusion to create a "pretext for invoking the Insurrection Act so that he can send the military to our city." He vehemently stated, "They should stay the hell out of Illinois."
The debate escalated after it became known that Republican-led Texas was planning to send 200 of its federalized National Guard troops to Illinois, further intensifying the political clash.
Details of the Insurrection Act
Generally, the Insurrection Act grants the president the power to send military forces to states to quell widespread public unrest and to support civilian law enforcement agencies. Before invoking it, the president must first call for the “insurgents” to disperse, according to a Congressional Research Service report published in 2006.
Trump’s potential use of the emergency powers for routine law enforcement would carry profound implications for civil liberties and for the traditional constraints on federal power. The law typically forbids the use of the military as a domestic police force, except under specific circumstances.
Historical Context and Implications
The Insurrection Act was last invoked in 1992 during the Los Angeles riots after four white police officers were acquitted in the beating of Rodney King. Armed forces have also been used to quell civil disturbances after natural disasters.
Some observers argue that the current situation in cities like Chicago and Portland doesn't warrant such drastic measures. Despite Trump’s descriptions, the murder rate in Chicago has fallen significantly in 2025. Nevertheless, Trump asserted that the city is "probably worse than almost any city in the world."
| Key Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| The Insurrection Act | Grants president authority to deploy US military for civilian law enforcement under specific conditions. |
| Trigger | When local and state authorities are unable or unwilling to maintain order. |
| Requirement Before Invoking | President is required to first call on the “insurgents” to disperse. |
| Last Invocation | 1992 Los Angeles riots. |
