In a recent conversation with Marine Corps Veteran Jen Psaki, Representative Jake Auchincloss, a Democrat from Massachusetts and Marine veteran, expressed his strong opposition to President Donald Trump’s plan to deploy U.S. military forces in domestic anti-immigrant efforts and in response to protests. Auchincloss argued that such actions are not only wildly inappropriate but also unconstitutional.
The Posse Comitatus Act, a law that prohibits the military from engaging in domestic law enforcement, is a fundamental principle that Trump’s actions seem to disregard, according to Auchincloss. The Insurrection Act, which provides exceptions to this rule, grants the president broad discretion to deploy troops in cases of insurrection or rebellion. However, Auchincloss believes that Trump’s interpretation of this act is far too expansive and threatens the balance of power in the country.
Concerns about the Oath of Office
As a Marine veteran, Auchincloss highlighted the impossible position that U.S. Marines would be put in if ordered to follow Trump’s directives. “They swear an oath to uphold the Constitution. They also swear an oath to obey orders from the president. Right now the president is ordering them to do something that does not support the Constitution,” he emphasized. This conflict between following orders and upholding the Constitution would create a significant moral dilemma for military personnel.
Recent Deployments and Reactions
Recently, Trump deployed 700 Marines to Los Angeles, where they joined National Guard troops responding to violent immigration protests. Auchincloss criticized this decision, stating that “the military should not be used as police. Deploying Marines to Los Angeles violates Posse Comitatus and does not support public safety.” This sentiment echoes concerns about the potential for abuse of power and the impact on democracy.
Call for Reform
To prevent such abuses of power, the Brennan Center has proposed reforms to clarify and narrow the criteria for military deployments under the Insurrection Act. These reforms aim to ensure that the president’s authority is exercised in a manner consistent with the Constitution and that Congress and the courts can serve as checks against overreach.
By speaking out against Trump’s military deployment plans, Auchincloss joins a chorus of voices calling for greater accountability and adherence to constitutional principles in the use of military force domestically.
