The Man from Martial 0
Writing at the Las Vegas Sun, Ed Koch (not the late New York Mayor, the Sun reporter) explores the legal and political history of martial law in the United States. It is, sadly, a timely read; here’s a bit:
There was an attempt in 2006 to give the chief executive the right to call out state national guards without getting the OK from state governors. It rode in as part of much larger legislation.
The Senate later repealed that part of the law and restored the 1807 Insurrection Act to limit the president’s martial law powers to its original — and current — limits.
My guess is that 14 years ago, lawmakers must have feared that one day a lunatic wannabe autocrat would wind up in the White House and would not want to leave after losing a reelection bid in a lawful balloting procedure. For the sake of the republic, I pray that never happens.
Afterthought:
Methinks his prayers were not answered.
