Just in case someone doesn't understand. The Insurrection Act is a U.S. federal law, codified in Title 10 of the U.S. Code, that gives the president the power to deploy U.S. military troops or federalize the National Guard for domestic law enforcement. The act serves as a major exception to the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, which generally prohibits the military from being used as a domestic police force. The act is designed to be used in extraordinary situations, such as when rebellion, insurrection, or civil unrest has made it difficult to enforce federal law. How the Insurrection Act can be invokedA U.S. president may invoke the Insurrection Act under three primary conditions: State request: A governor or state legislature can ask for federal military assistance to help control an insurrection within their state. This is the most common use of the law.Federal authority: The president can deploy troops to uphold federal authority when a rebellion or obstruction prevents the enforcement of federal laws or court orders.Protecting civil rights: The president can use the military to enforce federal laws when unlawful actions deprive citizens of their constitutional rights and the state is unable or unwilling to protect those rights. Key considerations and controversyPresidential discretion: The act gives the president significant, though not unlimited, discretion to determine when the conditions for deployment have been met. It does not clearly define terms like "insurrection" or "domestic violence".Not martial law: Invoking the Insurrection Act does not impose martial law. Martial law replaces civilian government with military authority, while the Insurrection Act enables the military to assist civilian authorities.Last use: The act was last invoked in 1992 by President George H. W. Bush during the Los Angeles riots, at the request of the California governor.History of use: The Insurrection Act has been invoked throughout U.S. history to respond to rebellions, labor disputes, and, during the Civil Rights Movement, to enforce federal desegregation orders against the wishes of some state governors.Recent considerations: The act has been a subject of recent political discussion, including during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests and as recently as October 2025. These discussions have renewed concerns from civil liberties groups and some lawmakers about the act's broad language and potential for abuse. Beloud