Peace Economy Project Statement on Reports of Potential Insurrection Act Deployment
The Peace Economy Project is deeply concerned by reports that the Trump administration may be preparing to deploy active-duty military forces into U.S. cities under the Insurrection Act.
The Insurrection Act is an extraordinary legal authority intended for the most extreme circumstances. Its use places federal troops in civilian settings, blurring the line between military force and civilian governance. History shows that deploying the military domestically escalates tensions, increases the risk of harm to civilians, and undermines public trust—without resolving the underlying causes of unrest.
Military force is not a substitute for democratic accountability, public health investment, or community-based safety. The normalization of domestic troop deployments reflects a broader and troubling trend: the growing reliance on militarized responses to political and social challenges that should be addressed through civilian institutions, social services, and democratic processes.
We call on elected leaders to exercise restraint, transparency, and constitutional responsibility. Congress has both the authority and the obligation to oversee any domestic use of military force and to act swiftly to prevent unnecessary escalation.
Public safety is best achieved by protecting civil liberties, respecting the right to peaceful assembly, and investing in the wellbeing of communities—not by treating Americans as an internal security threat.
The Peace Economy Project will continue to monitor developments closely and to advocate for policies that prioritize human security, democratic governance, and a meaningful shift away from militarization at home.
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