Thoughts on the Memphis Guard deployment. [View all]
I know the Kirk incident has dominated the news completely, but I'm a little disappointed the Memphis Guard deployment isn't getting more attention or push back.
I'm not a legal expert, but from everything I've read, just because a GOP governor is okay with it, doesn't make it legal. It still requires the Insurrection Act or some actual emergency for the president to deploy troops. Here are the general reasons he might be able to do so, none of which I see applying here;
Upon state request: The president can deploy troops to a state in response to an insurrection if requested by the state's legislature or its governor, provided the legislature is not in session.
To enforce federal law: The president can deploy troops without a state's request if an insurrection or civil unrest makes it impossible to enforce federal laws in that state.
To protect civil rights: The president can use troops to protect the constitutional rights of the state's inhabitants if state authorities are unable or unwilling to do so.
Are we going to let Trump normalize this?
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