Washington: Ever since Donald Trump took oath for his second term as US President, the rest of the world has been struggling to keep pace with his path-breaking ideas and decisions. Be it illegal immigration, cutting down federal costs through Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), or tariffs, Trump has kept everybody guessing about his next move.
Will he next announce a martial law type order by invoking the Insurrection Act of 1807?
That is what netizens and a section of citizens of the great country are fearing.
These rumours suggest that Trump will invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807 and impose martial law on April 20.
This stems from an Executive Order the US President signed on January 20, his Inauguration day, that hinted at the possibility ‘within 90 days’.
One of the first orders Trump signed was to declare a ‘national emergency’ along the southern border of the United States. It included a provision suggesting that Trump might “invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807” and potentially deploy the military within country on April 20 — 90 days after the executive order was issued.
Such an act would enable Trump to deploy US military personnel on the southern border and order troops to assist law enforcement in carrying out domestic policies like stopping illegal immigration.
“Within 90 days of the date of this proclamation, the Secretary of Defence and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit a joint report to the President about the conditions at the southern border of the United States and any recommendations regarding additional actions that may be necessary to obtain complete operational control of the southern border, including whether to invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807,” a clause in President Trump’s executive order stated.
Over the last 10-11 weeks, Homeland Security has been enforcing action against illegal immigrants, including deportations and sending suspected gang members to an El Salvadorian prison centre.
Now that the 90-day period is about to be completed, there is speculation about Trump invoking Insurrection Act of 1807.
What is the Insurrection Act of 1807
Rarely invoked, the Insurrection Act of 1807 gives the President authority to federalise the National Guard or use the federal military as civilian law enforcement to quell unruly demonstrations or other civil unrest.
In other words, it empowers the military to take action to quell possible rebellions, uprisings, or acts of violence and resistance, even when such actions are carried out by citizens.
The US President, the commander-and-chief of the US armed forces, has absolute power to decide if, when, and where to deploy American troops within the USA.
The Insurrection Act, however, is different from martial law.
It’s a military leader — Chief of Defence Staff or Army Chief – who assumes full control of government functions and state affairs under martial law. In the case of Insurrection Act, the authority of civilian government is preserved, and the US President while retaining administrative powers can selectively deploy the military to help restore law and order.
