Issue One calls on Congress to reassert its constitutional authority and reform domestic troop deployment laws

In response to today’s Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the Trump administration’s deployment of National Guard troops to U.S. cities, Issue One Vice President of Advocacy Alix Fraser issued the following statement:

“Our military has always remained outside of politics. Keeping it that way is essential to protecting not only our democracy, but the brave men and women who serve our country. Yet over the course of the last year, we’ve seen the Trump administration take dangerous steps to normalize the use of emergency powers and deploy troops into American cities under the guise of maintaining order — all while circumventing Congress and eroding the checks and balances fundamental to our constitutional order.

“Today’s hearing is an encouraging step that underscores the urgent need for Congress to reassert its constitutional role in decisions about deploying federal troops on American soil. Current law allows a president to send federal troops into our communities with almost no guardrails, even in situations involving peaceful protests. It’s critical that Congress put clear safeguards in place to ensure that service members cannot be weaponized against political opponents or peaceful citizens, while still allowing rapid response to genuine emergencies.

“The public understands this: A majority of Americans support limiting domestic deployment powers, and voters in Chairman Roger Wicker’s home state of Mississippi overwhelmingly agree that a president should not have the authority to order the U.S. military to use violent force against peaceful protestors. Congress should listen to the people. Strengthening these safeguards isn’t partisan; it’s a necessary step to preserve civilian control of the military and prevent the politicization of our armed forces.”

Christopher Purdy, founder and CEO of The Chamberlain Network, added:

“This hearing is an important first step, and we urge the Senate Armed Services Committee to use it to deliver concrete reforms that end unnecessary domestic deployments. Our service members deserve clear standards that keep them out of political conflicts and focused on the missions they are trained to carry out. Unrestricted use of the military at home is a danger to everyone, both our neighbors and our members of the military, but also the Republic for which service members swear to defend,”

Background

Issue One recently conducted nationwide polling showing that American voters are increasingly concerned about too much power being concentrated in the presidency, and widely believe that elected officials should adhere to the Constitution’s system of checks and balances.

The poll revealed that voters overwhelmingly support congressional checks on our system, including requiring congressional approval for military action; checks on Presidential Emergency Powers, including on National Guard deployment; and general limits on the president’s ability to deploy troops domestically. 60% of voters support additional legal checks (such as judicial or congressional review) before a president can take control of a state’s National Guard, and 53% support limiting the ability of U.S. presidents to deploy troops domestically.

Issue One’s We the People Playbook highlights key powers that Congress must reclaim to restore the balance of power, including limiting domestic troop deployment and reforming presidential emergency powers.