Trump Threatens to Invoke Insurrection Act Amid Explosive LA Protests

June 9, 2025 — Washington, D.C.
In a dramatic escalation of the national crisis, former President Donald Trump declared today that he is prepared to invoke the Insurrection Act, a rarely used federal law that allows the use of military force within the United States to suppress civil disorder.

“If Democrat leaders refuse to act, I will,” Trump said during a press conference at his campaign headquarters. “I will invoke the Insurrection Act to restore peace, protect American cities, and defend our country from lawless chaos.”

What Is the Insurrection Act?

The Insurrection Act of 1807 empowers the president to deploy military forces within U.S. borders during times of rebellion or domestic violence when local authorities are unable—or unwilling—to maintain order. Its use is extremely rare and controversial, most notably invoked during:

• The 1992 Los Angeles riots
• The Civil Rights Movement (e.g., Little Rock in 1957)
• Trump’s own threats to invoke it during the 2020 George Floyd protests, though it was never formally enacted

⚠️ Fallout From Trump’s Statement

Trump’s announcement comes after days of intensifying protests and civil unrest in Los Angeles, where immigration raids and federal military presence have triggered mass demonstrations, freeway shutdowns, and clashes with law enforcement.

His comments drew swift backlash:

• California Governor Gavin Newsom called the threat “authoritarian madness” and warned that invoking the Insurrection Act would provoke, not pacify, the public.
• Civil liberties groups condemned the move, arguing it amounts to martial law in disguise.
• Legal scholars are now openly debating whether a former president can wield such powers under any plausible scenario.

What This Means

If Trump follows through, it would mark one of the most aggressive uses of executive power in modern U.S. history—potentially sending active-duty military to U.S. cities under the premise of combating civil disorder. Critics argue it risks militarizing political conflict and may violate core constitutional protections.

Supporters, however, say it’s a necessary response to what they call “coordinated anarchy” in Democratic-led cities.

America at a Crossroads

With the 2025 political climate already deeply polarized, Trump’s threat to invoke the Insurrection Act has lit a fuse under an already volatile situation. Whether or not he follows through, the implications are clear: the battle over who controls America’s streets—and its future—is far from over.