In a time when so many deeply disturbing and dangerous things are happening that threaten our democracy, it’s important to do our best to remain calm, alert and prepared to respond to new threats – and to pay considered attention to reports and information about what could come next.
With that in mind, it’s important to note increasing speculation and discussion among informed advocates about the chance that President Trump could soon seek to invoke the powers of the Insurrection Act of 1807, which would be a major step towards the militarization of our country and a consolidation of power towards authoritarianism.
On January 20th, 2025, the day of his inauguration, Donald Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border of the United States, saying "America’s sovereignty is under attack." Trump ordered the secretary of defense and the secretary of homeland security to submit reports within 90 days that reflected their concerns about the southern border and recommendations on whether to invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807.
April 20th is 90 days from this order. It also happens to be Easter. It would be the height of irony for Trump to declare martial law on the day we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, who in one of his essential teachings said, “the way you welcomed the stranger you welcomed me.” Be that as it may, on April 20th or soon after, Trump will have his reports – and we can’t rule out the possibility he could invoke the Insurrection Act. The Insurrection Act of 1807 gives the president the authority to deploy the military or armed forces in the U.S. and use them against Americans under certain conditions.
If he does invoke the Insurrection Act, what Trump would actually attempt to do with its powers is unclear. One possibility is a federalization and deployment of the National Guard, meaning that especially in states that have resisted Trump's draconian deportation efforts, Trump could take over the National Guard and use them to expand and facilitate deportation efforts. There could be a build up of military presence at the border, and even potential use of the National Guard to threaten sanctuary cities in “blue states.” The authoritarian powers could be used to deploy the military to suppress some forms of protests and dissent, which is a right – or used to be a right – in America.
Given the extraordinary rhetoric of the administration, it is not inconceivable that they would use the Insurrection Act to weaponize the National Guard against American citizens and immigrant neighbors alike. Trump basically said as much in his meeting with Bukele of El Salvador: "The homegrowns are next, the homegrowns. You gotta build about five more places... It's not big enough."
While we do not know what will happen, we do need to be clear about what this threat means and convey our concern to our elected leaders, media outlets, our neighbors and friends. We need to state clearly from the start that any action by the president to deploy the armed forces and military in our communities – against immigrants or anyone else – would be outrageously authoritarian, dangerous, illegal and wrong, and does NOT reflect the will of the American people.
Trump's deportation efforts are already notably underwater in polling – in a Quinnipiac poll when asked about deportations: 42 percent approve, while 53 percent disapprove. That's an 11 point spread – Trump does NOT have the American people with him,and deploying the military in this repressive fashion under highly questionable and arbitrary grounds would likely prove to be massively unpopular.
The activation of the military to be used on American soil would also severely break with the tradition of our nation. Separation between the military and civilian life and in particular civilian law enforcement is a foundational American tradition and principle, reflected in the U.S. Constitution and our laws. Deployment of military troops for mass deportation would be unprecedented and extreme.
The potential advent of the deployment of the military within the borders of the United States, alongside the Trump administration's ignoring and belittling of the courts, would further make clear that we are dealing with an authoritarian administration. Each of us should be clear eyed about what we face. Interfaith Alliance is among those organizing people and communities of diverse faiths and beliefs to meet this moment – and I encourage you to join us. We need each other – it will take all of us to defend and save our democracy. I offer you courage and love this week, during both Holy Week and Passover. May we know liberation and resurrection in our time.
Finally, I am including a list of suggested actions from our friends at Indivisible about the possibility of Trump using the Insurrection Act:
1. Sound the alarm — If it happens, we move fast to make sure people know what it is and why it matters. No euphemisms. No hedging. Just the truth.
2. Push Democrats at every level to meet the moment — We’ll need every Democratic elected official using their platform to expose and challenge this abuse of power. That includes governors preemptively activating their National Guards (which may prevent federal takeover), press conferences, legal challenges, and public pressure campaigns.
3. Stay calm, disciplined, and united — Trump wants chaos. Our power is in joyful, defiant, nonviolent action. We protect each other, stay coordinated, and refuse to play into his narrative.
4. Flip the script — If Trump claims to be stopping “insurrectionists,” we remind people that he pardoned the actual ones. We shine a light on the real threat: a president using military force to suppress dissent.
5. Use ridicule to deflate his power — Strongmen hate being mocked. So we mock. Through memes, theater, satire, and creativity, we show how ridiculous and weak this play really is.
6. Plan for the long haul — This may be the opening move in a broader power grab. So we stay ready. We build legal infrastructure, strengthen communication channels, and invest in our communities’ ability to respond.
Countering Hate Against Our Beloved: Interfaith Alliance of Iowa
In the face of rising hate and legislative attacks on LGBTQ+ communities and higher education, the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa stands as a crucial voice for faith-based pluralism and social justice. Through advocacy and coalition-building, the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa continues to challenge policies that undermine human dignity and religious freedom.
