Democratic Senators urge Biden to restrict military deployment

Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) have called on President Joe Biden and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to issue a directive limiting the use of military personnel for domestic purposes, warning against potential misuse by President-elect Donald Trump after he takes office on Jan. 20. The senators emphasized the significance of establishing clear guidelines to prevent the deployment of the military against American citizens without explicit constitutional or congressional authorization.The Posse Comitatus Act, which forbids the use of federal troops in domestic law enforcement unless authorized by the Constitution or Congress, serves as the foundation for the request. While the Insurrection Act provides a narrow exception in cases of insurrection, rebellion, or extreme unrest, Warren and Blumenthal called for further restrictions to prevent abuse.“Any deployment of federal forces must occur only when state or local authorities are overwhelmed and unable to ensure public safety,” the senators wrote. They also emphasized the importance of consulting Congress before deploying troops and ensuring service members understand their obligations to reject unlawful orders.The senators’ letter notes growing concerns over Trump’s rhetoric and past actions. During his first term, Trump considered invoking the Insurrection Act to respond to Black Lives Matter protests, and...