What is the Insurrection Act? Here's what Trump has said about using it

What is the Insurrection Act? Here’s what Trump has said about using it Politics Oct 27, 2025 4:46 PM EDT

President Donald Trump has repeatedly signaled he is open to invoking the Insurrection Act, a law from 1807 that allows the president to deploy the military in the United States.

Earlier this month, Trump told reporters on Air Force One that he is “allowed” to use it if courts deny his efforts to send the National Guard to U.S. cities.

“Everybody agrees you’re allowed to use that and there is no more court cases, there is no more anything,” Trump said. “We’re trying to do it in a nicer manner, but we can always use the Insurrection Act if we want.”

Trump’s attempt to send the National Guard to Portland remains in limbo after a federal appeals court paused an earlier ruling by a