US President Donald Trump on Monday said in a press briefing that he would use the Federal troops to end the civil unrest that has engulfed large parts of the US following a case of police brutality related to the killing of an Afro-American man named George Floyd by a White Police officer named Derek Chauvin in Minneapolis.
This statement came after days of rioting and looting had engulfed large metropolitan areas such as New York, Los Angeles and Washington amongst others.
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It was a common sight for shops to be looted, individuals attacked and policepersons and their properties being set ablaze.
It was in this context that Trump said that it was important to safeguard American lives and property.
“If a city or state refuses to take the actions that are necessary to defend the life and property of their residents, then I will deploy the United States military and quickly solve the problem for them,” the US President said.
Can the President send the Federal troops to the states?
Under normal circumstances, just like in India (7th Schedule of the Indian Constitution), public order is the responsibility of the states even in the United States and the Governors have the responsibility for its maintenance under the Posse Comitatus Act.
However, the US President can send federal troops to assist the civil authorities in the maintenance of law and order under a set of statutes known as the Insurrection Act.
While doing so, he can overrule the State Governors under the legislation.