Easier to Declare Martial Law Amid Booming Militarism

Last year, Congress and the president tucked a provision into the enormous defense budget bill that makes it easier for a president to override local law enforcement authorities and declare martial law. There was no public debate about this extension of executive power . . . part of a continuing effort by the administration to increase the president's authority without any oversight by Congress or dialogue with voters.

I confess to being surprised by learning of this. I am alarmed. I hope you are, too.

Here's your opportunity for voter action! A new bill introduced in the U. S. Senate on February 7 by Sen. Patrick Leahy, S. 513, would reverse the actions of Congress and the president, and revive the previous authority on the use of the armed forces and militia to address interference with state or federal law. S. 513 has the unanimous approval of the country's governors. Let your senators know how you feel about this.

A little background
Since just after the Civil War, the doctrine of posse comitatus has banned military forces from engaging in law enforcement. The other measure that helps assure protection of citizens from the military is the Insurrection Act of 1807 which provides major exemptions to posse comitatus -- the president may use the military to put down lawlessness, insurrection, and rebellion where a state is violating federal law or depriving people of constitutional rights.

Add to this our new penchant for using a standing army to impose martial law and the fact that the administration created the Northern Command to oversee the land, sea, and air defense of the United States, Mexico, and Canada in 2002.

For the final measure of our booming militarism, consider the military budget which, according to the administration's own figures, has increased 35 percent since 2001!