U.S. cities are not war zones—and they shouldn’t be treated like one.

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem is defending the deployment of National Guard troops into American cities like Los Angeles, and is now backing similar plans for Chicago and others.

The justification? Local officials are accused of not doing enough to stop protests, many of which have been peaceful, even when they involve criticism of immigration policy.

Noem claimed on national television that Los Angeles “wouldn’t be standing today” if President Trump hadn’t sent in the military. But local officials—and residents—say the protests were mostly peaceful and isolated. Now, the federal government is preparing to send troops into more cities, even over the objections of governors and mayors.

This is a dangerous escalation. Under our Constitution, states have the right to manage their own law enforcement, and people have the protected right to protest—especially when it comes to controversial government actions like immigration raids. Deploying military forces against citizens sets a disturbing precedent that threatens both civil liberties and the balance of power between state and federal government.

Law enforcement should be handled by trained professionals in partnership with local communities—not military force sent in from Washington, D.C.

We, the undersigned, call on Congress to investigate and oppose the use of federal troops in domestic policing, unless formally requested by a state’s governor.

We also urge Secretary Kristi Noem and the Department of Homeland Security to immediately halt plans for further military deployments into cities that do not consent to them.

The right to protest. The right to govern locally. These aren’t partisan ideas—they are foundations of American democracy. We can protect public safety without eroding the civil rights and autonomy of the people.