Responding to President Donald Trump’s “threat” to invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy federal forces against anti-ICE protesters in Minnesota, Indian American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) announced he is offering an amendment to the defense funding bill that would prohibit any such deployment unless it is explicitly requested and supported by the governor of the affected state.
“Donald Trump’s threat to invoke the Insurrection Act in response to protests over federal enforcement actions is a reckless abuse of power that would only inflame an already volatile situation,” said Congressman Krishnamoorthi in a statement. “The National Guard can support local law enforcement in a lawful, limited role, but it must never be used for intimidation or political stunts. Turning the military on Americans shatters the constitutional balance on which our democracy depends.”
The congressman said the amendment is intended to block the use of federal funds to invoke the Insurrection Act without state approval. He added that, unless a governor explicitly requests and supports such a deployment, it is essential to ensure “we stop Trump’s abuse of power and protect our armed forces from being misused for intimidation, political theater, or unlawful escalation.”
