This is a thought-provoking scenario. Imagine if the military hadn’t received adequate training and instead deployed thousands of heavily armed soldiers on the streets of major American cities to maintain order during civil unrest. What would happen when citizens organize large demonstrations against such government actions, even if they lack proper training in non-violent protests?
History has demonstrated the consequences, as seen in the events at Kent State University in 1970.
Now, consider another possibility: what if an armed provocateur enters this already tense situation? Could it lead to a Second Civil War in America? We’ve seen glimpses of this potential on January 6, 2021, when certain extremist groups ignited chaos at the Capitol.
Currently, President Trump is conducting what could be described as a dangerous political experiment. He has mobilized the National Guard and ordered regular US troops into cities governed by Democrats.
How can we tell this is merely a performance? Because his threats seem focused solely on blue states. His justifications for such actions are, frankly, hard to accept. Many Americans have taken issue with his repeated brushes with the law, including multiple charges and convictions, making his stance on law and order seem rather hollow.
A true advocate for law and order wouldn’t overlook the fact that nearly 1,600 individuals have faced consequences for their actions during the January 6th riot. A president committed to the rule of law should not engage in actions that undermine the Constitution.
Sad to say, such behavior has become somewhat expected from Trump, who often criticizes others while displaying similar tendencies himself. The concern now lies in how the US forces have responded to his provocations.
Before the last election, Trump made his intentions clear, hinting at deploying military forces against civilians—a significant violation of the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878. He has openly indicated a willingness to use federal troops against unrest in various cities.
At a rally in Iowa, he stated that he wouldn’t wait for governors or mayors to act. Before the election, he even expressed support for using military force, suggesting he would remove more than 11 million undocumented individuals from the country.
During a speech in June 2020, Trump urged governors to take control of the situation surrounding protests related to George Floyd’s death, claiming he would send in the military if they didn’t act accordingly. Meanwhile, protesters were gathering across from the White House, prompting police to use rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowd. Trump then staged a photo opportunity holding a Bible, accompanied by high-ranking military officials. One of those officials expressed regret for being used as a political backdrop during that moment.
Subsequent investigations concluded that the park was not cleared specifically for Trump’s photo op, but the tactics used raised significant concerns about the protection of constitutional rights. The general involved later apologized, acknowledging that his participation could be seen as politicizing the military.
In a discussion with National Defense University graduates, he emphasized the importance of remaining apolitical in military roles. Current military leaders would do well to heed this advice if they want to preserve public trust.
As of 2024, various thought experiments have emerged regarding what might occur if Trump sends active-duty troops to suppress protests within the United States. Conversations with Pentagon officials reveal that the landscape lacks concrete legal protections against such executive actions, especially if the president interprets vague laws from 1792.
However, military commanders have a duty to refuse illegal orders. Soldiers aren’t required to follow unlawful commands, reminding us of the lessons learned after World War II regarding accountability for war crimes.
This brings us to a crucial point: while Trump is in power, the US military could serve as a critical safeguard for our Democratic Republic, especially as other branches of government seem to yield to his authoritative style.
What if the top military officials and voters fail to contest Trump’s maneuvers? Nearly 6 million people around the globe might offer insight into life under authoritarianism, as they find themselves in such situations. The United States is indeed on a slippery slope.
William S. Becker is a co-editor of “Unchains of Democracy: How to Rebuild Government for Your People” and contributes to discussions on democracy in challenging times.
