Main Justice The Militarization of American Cities Under Trump with Mary McCord
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Oct 20, 2025 
In this riveting discussion, Mary McCord, the Executive Director of the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection and former acting assistant attorney general, delves into the unsettling rise of domestic military deployments under Trump's administration. She explores the historical context of military use at home and the significance of the Posse Comitatus Act. McCord examines legal loopholes exploited to justify these actions, critiques the administration's intentions, and discusses the potential ramifications for democracy and civil liberties.
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Cities As Military Training Grounds
- The Trump administration frames U.S. cities as training grounds to use military force against domestic political opponents.
- This repurposes the military away from foreign defense into internal suppression, challenging democratic norms.
Posse Comitatus Restricts Domestic Military Role
- The Posse Comitatus Act criminally bars federal armed forces from domestic law enforcement except by explicit constitutional or congressional authority.
- The law protects civilian policing powers and prevents military-style lethal rules of engagement from becoming domestic practice.
Insurrection Act Is Narrow And Historical
- The Insurrection Act creates limited statutory exceptions to Posse Comitatus, mostly requiring a governor's request or clear insurrection.
- Historically, federal troops were used sparingly and primarily at a state's request, with desegregation as a rare exception.