Insurrection Act

Donald Trump has declined to rule out invoking the Insurrection Act, the law that allows a president to deploy the military domestically. The refusal to rule it out is drawing criticism from opponents who see it as a step toward using armed forces against Americans, while supporters frame it as keeping options open on unrest.

Donald Trump said in an interview published Thursday that he has not ruled out invoking the Insurrection Act or declaring a national emergency around the November midterm elections. "I'm not committing to..." he said, leaving open extraordinary measures. The remarks are drawing attention over concerns about the use of presidential emergency powers in the run-up to a national vote.