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Could Trump impose Martial Law? (Original Post) Demonaut May 2020 OP
He won't do that until the end of the year. Thomas Hurt May 2020 #1
Sure still_one May 2020 #2
I wouldn't put it past him, but he's up against the case of The Velveteen Ocelot May 2020 #3
That assumes, of course... regnaD kciN May 2020 #8
You might want to read up on the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act ripcord May 2020 #11
I believe it requires Congressional approval. jls4561 May 2020 #4
He absolutely could superpatriotman May 2020 #5
see post 3, it would require congressional approval Demonaut May 2020 #6
From Wikipedia: Demonaut May 2020 #7
From Wikipedia: ripcord May 2020 #12
but with this ending: Demonaut May 2020 #13
Question: What would it do to the economy? ChicagoRonin May 2020 #9
Do you know what martial law means in the US? sarisataka May 2020 #10
He could, but even he has to know that will just make it worse, as things are now. Hoyt May 2020 #14
do you think he cares? this works in his favor Demonaut May 2020 #15

The Velveteen Ocelot

(115,270 posts)
3. I wouldn't put it past him, but he's up against the case of
Sat May 30, 2020, 10:10 PM
May 2020
Ex parte Milligan, in which the Supreme Court laid out the criteria for invoking martial law:

If, in foreign invasion or civil war, the courts are actually closed, and it is impossible to administer criminal justice according to law, then, on the theatre of active military operations, where war really prevails, there is a necessity to furnish a substitute for the civil authority, thus overthrown, to preserve the safety of the army and society; and as no power is left but the military, it is allowed to govern by martial rule until the laws can have their free course.

jls4561

(1,241 posts)
4. I believe it requires Congressional approval.
Sat May 30, 2020, 10:11 PM
May 2020

Good luck with that to Donnie tiny hands as long as Ms. Nancy is standing guard.

superpatriotman

(6,232 posts)
5. He absolutely could
Sat May 30, 2020, 10:27 PM
May 2020

The entire country is under siege and I a state of unrest that martial law was intended to correct.

Demonaut

(8,909 posts)
7. From Wikipedia:
Sat May 30, 2020, 10:42 PM
May 2020

In United States law, martial law is limited by several court decisions handed down between the American Civil War and World War II. In 1878, Congress passed the Posse Comitatus Act, which forbids U.S. military involvement in domestic law enforcement without congressional approval.[citation needed]

ripcord

(5,082 posts)
12. From Wikipedia:
Sat May 30, 2020, 10:50 PM
May 2020

John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007

`Sec. 333. Interference with State and Federal law
`The President, by using the militia or the armed forces, or both, or by any other :means, shall take such measures as he considers necessary to suppress, in a State, any insurrection, domestic violence, unlawful combination, or conspiracy, if it--
`(1) so hinders the execution of the laws of that State, and of the United States
within the State, that any part or class of its people is deprived of a right, :privilege, immunity, or protection named in the Constitution and secured by law, and :the constituted authorities of that State are unable, fail, or refuse to protect that :right, privilege, or immunity, or to give that protection; or
`(2) opposes or obstructs the execution of the laws of the United States or impedes :the course of justice under those laws.
In any situation covered by clause (1), the State shall be considered to have :denied the equal protection of the laws secured by the Constitution.'.

Demonaut

(8,909 posts)
13. but with this ending:
Sat May 30, 2020, 11:00 PM
May 2020

In United States law, martial law is limited by several court decisions handed down between the American Civil War and World War II. In 1878, Congress passed the Posse Comitatus Act, which forbids U.S. military involvement in domestic law enforcement without congressional approval.[citation needed]

ChicagoRonin

(630 posts)
9. Question: What would it do to the economy?
Sat May 30, 2020, 10:47 PM
May 2020

My guess is that it would spook the markets and add to the economic slowdown, neither of which Donnie wants, but I'm no expert.

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