Posted on Jan 25, 2017
Should the US military be used to enforce law and order and quell the protests against President Trump?
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Edit: I posted this as a little experiment. There was a similar discussion asking whether American soldiers would fire on American citizens due to the riots that were taking place. I had responded that the Posse Comitatus prohibited that, much like many of you did. However, I was unconvinced that most of the respondents "No's" had to do with an obligation to their fellow citizens and more to do with their dislike of the Obama administration. I hypothesized that it was the latter and posted this question to test that theory. Turns out you all pleasantly surprised me and proved me wrong. Thank you for that. I'm sure this post will continue to generate discussion though.
Martial Law
Office of the President (POTUS)
Protest
Law Enforcement
Edited 8 y ago
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 82
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Posse Comitatus says no. Anyone remember the small town of Sampson, AL that had a mass shooting and MPs from Fort Rucker went down to assist the local law enforcement in directing traffic around the road blocks? I do, because I was one of those MPs. As a result of that, our Provost Marshall (LTC) was relieved of duty, and charged. All because he answered a mass call for help from local law enforcement.
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SPC Woody Bullard
SGT James Hinch - I agree with you. In responding to SGT Elphick's question
on U.S. Army troops being used against American civilians I was stating that action has
taken place in our nation's history. SGT Elphick brought politics into his question with
the like or dislike of President Obama. American citizens have the right to assemble and
protest but there is no right to destroy property, injure or kill other American citizens.
People who riot are not protesters, they are criminals and should be treated as criminals.
Civilian law enforcement officers should be used to stop and arrest violent people who
riot in the streets, not regular U.S. Army troops. That line can be crossed when the state
National Guard soldiers are ordered in to assist the police officers. Some of the National
Guard soldiers today are Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans like the regular Army troops
so that Posse Comitatus Act can get a little fuzzy.
on U.S. Army troops being used against American civilians I was stating that action has
taken place in our nation's history. SGT Elphick brought politics into his question with
the like or dislike of President Obama. American citizens have the right to assemble and
protest but there is no right to destroy property, injure or kill other American citizens.
People who riot are not protesters, they are criminals and should be treated as criminals.
Civilian law enforcement officers should be used to stop and arrest violent people who
riot in the streets, not regular U.S. Army troops. That line can be crossed when the state
National Guard soldiers are ordered in to assist the police officers. Some of the National
Guard soldiers today are Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans like the regular Army troops
so that Posse Comitatus Act can get a little fuzzy.
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PO3 John Jeter
If I remember correctly, the Provost Marshall who was charged defended his actions on the basis that his people were not involved in law enforcement activities but merely public safety assistance, necessary to provide for the security of the installation. I would be curious to know of the outcome of that proceeding. Does anyone have any info?
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SGT James Hinch
PO3 John Jeter - That's correct. In fact, the volunteers that we relieved on those posts were civilians from the community. Every one of us had to be interviewed individually by the TRADOC Deputy Commander. (a 3 star) as for the outcome, they determined that while he did violate Posse Commitatus, he was acting in good faith and just gave him a reprimand and reassignment.
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COL Bill Gross
The exception is the Insurrection Act. Governor can request Federal Military assistance and President then can act. Last employed in LA Riots after Rodney King verdict.
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1SG (Join to see)
SSG(P) (Join to see) - Understood, but outside of Military Police command,regardless of the MOS, are soldiers being trained in this anymore. The only place outside of a military police command that I am am aware this training is manditory is in the National Guard.
I wasn't questioning your response because I know this occurs with all MP units regardless of MOS. When I was in a MP company everyone, including mechanics and cooks trained in this but we were all in a MP unit.
I wasn't questioning your response because I know this occurs with all MP units regardless of MOS. When I was in a MP company everyone, including mechanics and cooks trained in this but we were all in a MP unit.
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MAJ (Join to see)
No we are not trained on riot control, MP's and guard only, the rest of us are taught how to deal with a hostile crowd, in terms of Iraqi or Afghanistan dispute but not a riot especially not for actions against US citizens.
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No, No, No, No, Absolutely No, and again No a thousand times over. Besides the Posse Comitatus Act preventing that, that is the same action that every dictator takes to justify keeping the peace and it is the first step towards a dictatorship and a 240 year steps backwards to being under the thumb of King George or in this case King Donald.
Today it is a protest you have stopped, tomorrow we loose our freedoms such as the 1st amendment, and the next day we put yellow stars on undesirables (Nazi Germany in case the reference is missed).
Today it is a protest you have stopped, tomorrow we loose our freedoms such as the 1st amendment, and the next day we put yellow stars on undesirables (Nazi Germany in case the reference is missed).
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