Questions about Trump bringing the military to protests

[Polybius]

He has threatened to do it. Can he? Or does he need Congressional approval? Can it be done without declaring Martial Law?

[scarletwoman]

1. Not going to happen. Pay no attention, he's just spewing bullshit as usual. (nt)

[Polybius]

2. I hope you're right

I'm still curious though. Can he?

[scarletwoman]

3. Not unless the state requests it, and that won't be happening. States have their own National Guard

for when they need extra help.

[sarisataka]

5. It is expected a state would ask for help but

He can do it unilaterally

[scarletwoman]

9. OK, thank you. I know our MN Governor has stated he would not ask for such a thing & it's not needed

Conditions here don't really warrant such an intervention, anyway.

[sarisataka]

10. Last night was a serious counter

To him being able to claim the situation is beyond the state's ability to control. I am glad for that because it could have been enough to tip the scale.

Even Trump has to be careful invoking the Insurrection Act. If he does it without a request from the state it is a very short trip to saying a civil war has broken out. Republicans don't want that to happen on their watch.

[sarisataka]

4. Answers

Can he? Yes

Or does he need Congressional approval? No

Can it be done without declaring Martial Law? Yes

[Eliot Rosewater]

8. then he will

[sarisataka]

11. Maybe not

Even Republicans are wary of making such a move, especially if the state is not requesting such help. To unilaterally say a state is in Insurrection, is tantamount to saying a civil war is starting.

[Karadeniz]

13. Looks like those powers were meant to counteract a foreign threat. Perhaps we need to tighten

Fine tune those measures to allow for having an imbecile as president.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

6. A mayor can request them. Little Rock requested some from Eisenhower ...

... to protect some students.

I think Trump is talking about sending in Military Police. Their training might actually help. Sending Infantry and Armor might be less helpful.

[highplainsdem]

7. See this OP on the Insurrection Act, and reply 7 there:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100213513271

[Kingofalldems]

12. I was in the National Guard in '68

We were federalized for 2 weeks after the MLK assassination.