General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCould President Trump use a terrorist attack to declare martial law?
He's have a GOP Congress and Supreme Court to back him.
treestar
(82,383 posts)There was some case involving the Civil War where they had to shut the courts down in a state. But in modern times there is not really going to be any reason, and a terrorist attack wouldn't be enough.
gratuitous
(82,849 posts)I seem to think that the Constitution forbids indefinite detention and torture, too, but that hasn't stopped some folks from doing that with impunity.
It's my opinion that if President Trump puts the country under de facto martial law, he'll have a huge contingent of spokespersons and mouthpieces, as well as sycophantic media personalities, all out there denying any such thing is happening. Enough people will believe the blather over the evidence of their own eyes that it will continue on for quite a long time.
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)Wasn't it Cheney who said it's just a piece of paper?
treestar
(82,383 posts)I mean, it would take some kind of force, wouldn't it? The national guard? The military could fight illegal orders and in fact I've heard some of them said they would. Given that Hillary had more voters, there isn't enough political will to cave in to such a thing either.
Police forces are all under state and country and muni jurisdiction. States have powers - no POTUS can get around that.
This is why I think the separation of powers is good. It would work. State governors would want to keep their power, even the Republicans. They are not going to hand it over to POTUS. Neither would Congress or the courts.
This is why I think the fears of martial law in the US are overblown.
Remember the things you mentioned above had to be abroad and with the excuse of war.
gratuitous
(82,849 posts)I've seen too many unbelievable things this year to say categorically that a president Trump wouldn't be able to invoke martial law and have troops out patrolling the streets of certain cities that displease him, ready to dispense some hot justice to malcontents and nay-sayers. He would doubtless have an enormous media push behind him, and millions of supporters cheering him on.
In recent days, Trump has called the government intelligence agencies incompetent and worthless; American workers lazy and spoiled; and claimed he's too busy to worry about learning the ropes of his new job while taking time to meet with Kanye West. This antic display would have torpedoed anyone else, but Trump appears to be going as strong as ever in the media's coverage.
treestar
(82,383 posts)There was some procedure Cheney and his ilk developed in case of nuclear attack or something like that.
And troops in the street - think of all the gun nuts who are keeping their guns because the gubmint might take over. That would be what they were waiting for.
And how obedient are the troops to the CIC? They are supposed to defend us and not be used against us. Even in the military would that political will be there to actually act against us? In great enough numbers?
gratuitous
(82,849 posts)And who could say that a bunch of gun nuts wouldn't leap at the opportunity to play Red Dawn for reals? Only instead of peppering away at invading Russkies, they'd get to shoot their real enemies, the dirty fucking hippies masquerading as their fellow Americans. Look at Edgar Welch and his armed freelance investigation of Comet Ping Pong. The Bundy Terrorist Gang has demonstrated their ability to draw a crowd of like-minded armed kooks. Trump has incited his supporters before, and had them beating on undesirables at his rallies. There was no appreciable backlash for that, and I don't even recall any arrests.
pbmus
(12,422 posts)Last edited Sun Dec 18, 2016, 07:59 PM - Edit history (1)
And of course it was another repuker president named Nixon ..
Trenzalore
(2,331 posts)The army and national guard could declare martial law in maybe one large urban area in the country. There is simply not enough force to project martial law in all urban areas.
Sam1
(498 posts)Am going to read that again!
Sam1
(498 posts)that his administration busts a terrorist group planning to nuke New York and then spends the rest of his term looking for the next one.
workinclasszero
(28,270 posts)To assume the presidency either.
And yet on January 20 2017 that's exactly what's going to happen.
All bets are off after that date. The Constitution may as well be considered null and void.
Generator
(7,770 posts)In fact I expect it if there is a terror attack.
PoliticAverse
(26,366 posts)putitinD
(1,551 posts)dawnie51
(959 posts)do you doubt it?
rzemanfl
(29,556 posts)THEN he will declare martial law.
WhiteTara
(29,701 posts)the one failing the most.
rzemanfl
(29,556 posts)WhiteTara
(29,701 posts)are mutually exclusive...I'm sure he jacks up insurance in preparation of the planned demolition!
rzemanfl
(29,556 posts)jalan48
(13,856 posts)I live in a very progressive community and yet, days after 9-11 camo-dressed men and women showed up at stop signs and stop lights waving flags. We were supposed to honk our horns to "Support our Troops!". There was literally NO dissent allowed unless you wanted to risk violence. Phil Donahue was kicked off the airwaves for daring to question the Bush Administration. The media and the para-military (think Ferguson) will provide our own, self-enforced, martial law.
roamer65
(36,745 posts)Another 9/11'ish attack will split the country right down the middle. Too many have heard of Dump ignoring intelligence briefings. 50 pct of the country will immediately blame him...maybe more.
gordianot
(15,237 posts)I do wonder how provisions would work if it is a Russian attack.
There were some plans drawn up in the Reagan administration and come from the Commander in Chief. As I recall Ollie North was involved but that was probably just self promotion.
This would throw out the Constitution.
immoderate
(20,885 posts)and tanks in the streets, and police with dogs, and tasers, rubber bullets, tear gas, and other instruments of torture.
But not martial law.
--imm
Sam1
(498 posts)immoderate
(20,885 posts)I think that even white people will be out there.
--imm
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)duffyduff
(3,251 posts)Judging from the way he constantly misspells his tweets, it is a distinct possibility.
madinmaryland
(64,931 posts)MrPurple
(985 posts)rzemanfl
(29,556 posts)LonePirate
(13,415 posts)They act above and beyond the law and no one ever challenges or stops them. It's just the way it is.
MrPurple
(985 posts)Remember the post 9/11 hysteria with anthrax mailings and warnings from the government on how to seal up your windows with plastic wrap? Then, we got the Patriot Act and increased government surveillance.
I'd expect Bannon to milk the next terrorist incident for all the hysteria they can generate, and for increased Patriot Act type powers. They'll fire up their followers with anti-Moslem, anti-immigrant hate. Springboard for their deportations, detentions, etc. I'd expect them to try to go after unfavorable media. They don't have to declare formal martial law to seize extra powers.
Emilybemily
(204 posts)Why wouldn't he?
unpresidented2016
(11 posts)Too many states would resist him for the entire country to be ruled that way for too long.