Australia and the World Past and Present

In 2025 and 2026, federal forces were deployed in multiple U.S. cities.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (otherwise known as ICE) was ramping up operations, attempting to identify illegal immigrants, take them into custody and deport them.

The National Guard is typically used in response to natural disasters or in response to pandemics. Search and rescue is another function.

However, they can be federalised under “Title 10”. When this occurs, they become an active part of U.S. forces. They can even be sent overseas.

The National Guard usually sits under state authority. The Governor is in control under this “Title 32” status. In this case, the Governor acts as commander-in-chief.

National Guards can be used to enforce federal law when states resist. This occurred in 1957 when President Eisenhower federalised the Arkansas National Guard in order to enforce school desegregation.

So, we can see that the National Guard has a dual-nature. At times it sits under state authority and at times its sits under federal authority. And let’s face it, when it comes to a test of power the federal government is generally going to win. Unless a court strikes it down.

Washington D.C. is an interesting case. It is not a state. Its police force, the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, takes care of most local police matters and is under the authority of the Mayor.

But because Washington D.C. is also the national capital, the federal U.S. Capitol Police also operates there and they answer to Congress or to departments within the executive branch.

The District of Columbia National Guard is always under the command of the President.

So when we consider the Capitol riot of 6 January 2021, the Mayor could request but not deploy the National Guard. That could only be done by the President.

Most of the cities and states where federal forces have been deployed have had Democrat leaders.

The Posse Comitatus Act places limits on the extent to which the military can be used on American soil.

In June 2025, Los Angeles experienced the deployment federal forces. Some 700 Marines and 4,000 National Guard were deployed there. Protests were erupting over immigration raids. Local law enforcement argued that managing these protests was matter for them and that they were in control of the situation. Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, bitterly opposed to the deployment of federal forces as did LA Mayor, Karen Bass.

Legal challenges were raised.

Many saw the mobilisation of federal forces as a threat to civil liberties.

In August, it was Washington D.C.’s turn. There, around 2000 National Guard were called out. There were more than 700 arrests.

Memphis, Portland, Baltimore and Oakland went through similar experiences.

On September 2, federal courts ruled that the moves were illegal and violated Posse Comitatus.

Democratic leaders in affected cities and states argued that federal actions were akin to pouring fuel on a fire. It was making a difficult situation even more volatile. They argued that Marines and National Guard members are not equipped for policing. They are trained to deal with enemy combatants rather than civilians.

The deployment of federal forces on U.S. soil certainly disrupts a historical precedent. While they have been used at certain times in history, their use has been rather isolated and limited. Under Trump, we are seeing the pattern play in many parts of the country. There is a clear political element to it. Democratic-held states and cities are clearly targeted.