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White House Says Trump Prepared to Invoke Insurrection Act

Steve Herman

   WHITE HOUSE - U.S. President Donald Trump "has sole authority to invoke
   the Insurrection Act" and "if needed, he will use it," White House
   Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters Wednesday afternoon.

   Earlier in the day, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said, "The option to
   use active-duty forces in a law enforcement role should only be used as
   a matter of last resort and only in the most urgent and dire of
   situations."

   Esper added, "We are not in one of those situations now. I do not
   support invoking the Insurrection Act."

   The 1807 federal law allows the president, in dire circumstances, to
   deploy military and federalized National Guard troops inside the
   country to suppress civil disorder, insurrection and rebellion.

   Amid reports that the defense secretary's remarks have angered the
   president and top White House officials, the press secretary was asked
   if Trump retains confidence in the key member of his Cabinet who runs
   the Pentagon.

   "As of right now, Secretary Esper is still Secretary Esper," McEnany
   replied. That tepid response will further add to speculation that the
   defense secretary could soon be asked by the president to resign.

   In recent days, Trump has strongly advocated using National Guard
   units, which are generally under state -- not federal -- control except
   in the District of Columbia, to put a stop to acts of vandalism and
   looting in cities across the country.

   Emphasizing "law and order," the president has demanded that more
   governors use the guard units at their command. He has called governors
   "weak" for hesitating to order a National Guard response.

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