U.S. federal law generally prohibits the use of active-duty military forces to perform domestic law enforcement functions.
October 08, 2025
high
temporal
Summarizes the legal restriction on deploying military personnel for civilian law enforcement in the United States.
The Posse Comitatus Act restricts the role of the U.S. military in enforcing domestic laws in the United States.
October 08, 2025
high
legal
Federal statute limiting use of military forces for domestic law enforcement operations.
The Posse Comitatus Act limits the U.S. military's role in enforcing domestic laws.
October 07, 2025
high
legal
U.S. federal law constraining domestic use of military forces.
The President of the United States serves as commander-in-chief and has authority to deploy federal troops and to federalize National Guard units for domestic operations, but those deployments are subject to legal challenge and review by federal courts.
October 06, 2025
high
legal
Presidential authority to use military or federalized National Guard forces domestically is balanced by judicial review and potential injunctions in federal court.
During a federal government shutdown, active-duty U.S. military personnel are required to continue performing their duties while their pay can be temporarily halted until appropriations are restored, after which back pay is typically provided.
October 05, 2025
high
temporal
Describes typical personnel and pay treatment for active-duty service members during lapses in federal appropriations.