The Opinions Who Can Stop a President Deploying Troops?
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Oct 11, 2025 
David French, a conservative columnist and expert in constitutional law, and E.J. Dionne Jr., a seasoned political commentator, dive into the implications of troop deployments under President Trump. They discuss the stark divide in America and compare current tensions to historical moments like the Red Scares. The conversation highlights the limitations placed on state responses and the failure of Congress to check executive power. They also explore public opinion on military presence in cities and the importance of local leadership in mending the nation's polarization.
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Punishing Opposition Echoes Pre‑Civil War Tactics
- The administration's punitive targeting of opposing states mirrors pre-Civil War efforts to impose one region's will on the whole country.
- E.J. Dionne connects this to historical contradictions in claims about limited government and states' rights.
From Red Scare To A New 'Blue Scare'
- The current federal targeting flips old Red Scare dynamics into a 'Blue Scare' attacking blue America as an existential threat.
- David French argues the administration is turning government apparatuses against political opponents using apocalyptic rhetoric.
Dangerous Executive Power In The Insurrection Act
- The Insurrection Act vests broad discretion in the president to deploy troops and creates a dangerous emergency power backstop.
- David French warns Congress failed to reform it and governors have limited legal options against such deployments.
