Troop deployment into American cities without Congress’ approval is dangerous
Across the country, the president is deploying troops into cities without approval from Congress and in many cases without permission from mayors or governors.
Our troops are being put into impossible situations while our elected officials stand by and watch. The key thing is: Members of Congress have the power to stop this presidential overreach… if we demand it from them.
Presidents cannot and should not be trusted with the power of deploying the military against its citizenry without real constitutional justification.
– Jamie Barnett, Rear Admiral, USN (Retired)
The Constitution is clear
Under the Constitution, Congress, not the president, decides when America goes to war and when troops are deployed (Article I, Section 8, Clauses 11 & 15).
Even though some emergency powers were delegated to the Executive Branch in legislation that followed, for decades presidents of both parties have tested those limits, stretching “emergency powers” to justify deploying troops abroad and now in our own communities.
Deploying U.S. troops is one of the most serious decisions our government can make. In a healthy democracy and in our Constitution, it must be up to Congress, the people’s branch, to decide, not one person.
The People are united
This isn’t about politics. It’s about accountability. A new study shows that:
- 70% of Americans believe local law enforcement should handle crime, not the military
- Only 1% support out-of-state National Guard involvement
That means that 99% of Americans overwhelmingly reject the president’s unilateral troop deployments.
It’s time for Congress to show courage and stand with us
Enough is enough. We’re calling on Members of Congress to:
- Hold the Executive Branch accountable
- Reclaim Congress’s constitutional power over military deployment and war
- Require congressional approval for any deployment lasting more than 14 days
- Stand up and do what’s right for the people you represent