The Insurrection Act gives President Trump specific powers

The powers granted to the U.S. president under the Insurrection Act:

  • Send in troops: The president can call in active-duty military to handle unrest inside the U.S. if things spiral beyond local control.
  • Override governors: If a state’s leadership isn’t doing enough to enforce federal law, the president can step in without asking permission.
  • Use force to restore order: Troops can be used to break up riots, secure buildings, or detain people if violence or rebellion is underway.
  • Protect civil rights: If a state is failing to protect people’s constitutional rights, the president can deploy forces to make sure those rights are upheld.
  • Bypass Posse Comitatus: Normally, the military can’t act like police—but this law makes an exception when chaos hits.