The Insurrection Act of 1807 allows the Congress or the President limited powers for mobilizing the United States military to assist and supplement local law enforcement agencies under certain circumstances. While this option may have been a necessity for public safety 200 years ago, the efficacy of new policing reforms and oversight currently being proposed in the U.S. Senate via the Justice in Policing Act of 2020 are at risk of being sidestepped by future presidential administrations or congressional majorities who choose to interpret the open-ended language of the law to their political benefit or partisan ends. This should be a point of concern for citizens of all political affiliations; left, right, or center.

If the thought of a military occupation of your city or town doesn't sit well with you, I encourage you to sign this petition.

(Photo: Nicholas Croft)