Alaska’s two senators and lone congressman have differing views about the recent deployment of US Marines to protect federal property in Los Angeles, with sharply different interpretations of law, public safety, and the role of the military on American soil.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski expressed strong reservations about the use of active-duty military forces in American cities, saying, “Our military are to be used to protect us from foreign threats, but not within our own country.”
Her statement echoes concerns about militarization of domestic affairs and the potential for abuse of executive power. But overreacting comments oversimplify federal law and ignore long-established statutes that authorize the federal government to deploy troops for limited domestic roles. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine agrees with Murkowski, saying, “Active duty forces are generally not to be involved in domestic law enforcement operations.”
While Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Gov. Gavin Newsom say they don’t need outside help, Trump ordered 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines to be on the scene in Los Angeles County to assist law enforcement quell the insurrection, as the summer of 2025 heats up. Last night in Seattle, insurrectionists tried to burn down a federal buidljg downtown, leading to a violent confrontation with Seattle police.
While the Posse Comitatus Act generally prohibits the use of federal military forces to perform civilian law enforcement duties, it does not completely ban domestic deployment. Under Title 10 of the U.S. Code, the president is authorized to use military personnel to protect federal property, enforce laws, or respond to insurrections and emergencies. The Department of Defense clarified that the Marines in Los Angeles were operating under this narrow framework—assigned only to guard federal buildings and personnel, not to police the streets or engage protesters.
The historical record supports this interpretation. Presidents have authorized military forces to protect federal interests on American soil cases, such as securing courthouses during civil unrest. As long as the troops do not carry out law enforcement actions, such as arrests, the deployments are considered legal. Murkowski’s framing of the issue as strictly “foreign threats only” is at odds with the legal reality that the military has long held a backup role in safeguarding key federal assets under certain conditions. The ignores the fact that military can be used to stop an invasion.
Sen. Dan Sullivan was more circumspect: “The First Amendment guarantees the rights of all Americans to protest—not to riot, loot local businesses, and commit violence against law enforcement officers. The protests in LA have unfortunately devolved into a very dangerous situation for local residents and for federal agents simply carrying out their duty to implement our immigration laws. The LA Chief of Police said earlier this week that the protests had ‘gotten out of control’ and that ‘our officers are really under attack.’ President Trump is justified in calling in the National Guard and the Marines when federal officers and property are being threatened by violent agitators, and to support local police officers working to restore order and protect the lives of local citizens.”
Congressman Nick Begich defended the deployment, citing the scale of lawlessness and the broader consequences of illegal immigration and narcotics trafficking.
“What we have seen in Los Angeles is utter lawlessness. This behavior has no place in America’s communities, and the deployment of federal resources is consistent with the type of whole-of-government approach required to restore order and protect the innocent.”
Begich tied the unrest in Los Angeles to the federal government’s failure to secure the border and enforce immigration laws, arguing that federal intervention is not only lawful but necessary.
The Trump administration authorized the deployment of Marines under what it called the “protective power” of federal agencies to secure their own infrastructure. There is a distinction: The Insurrection Act would permit a broader use of force, including crowd control and policing. By contrast, the Marines in Los Angeles are tasked only with protecting federal sites such as courthouses and immigration facilities. These are assets owned by the people of America, paid for by taxpayers.
Murkowski’s concerns resonate with those who hate Donald Trump, and her characterization of the military’s role lacks accuracy. Federal law clearly allows for the use of troops in certain domestic scenarios, provided their mission remains strictly protective and does not cross into law enforcement.
As lawlessness fueled by rampant illegal immigrant crime grow in California, a legal challenge by Gov. Newsom is scheduled to be heard June 12.
What!! I’m the first to post reflecting the idiocy of the “Snow Princess”?
How many chapters must her book read to convince we Alaskans that her presents in Washington is counter to the good and future of our State. Just a nightmare of painful public stances reflecting her dislike of President Trump who supports Alaska. Tragic.
I really believed Murkowski could read or maybe she is blind. Title 10 is clear and used by Eisenhower and LBJ. Unfortunately, hate gets you nowhere.
““Our military are to be used to protect us from foreign threats, but not within our own country.””
How convenient that Biden already allowed a lot of foreign threats into the country. Of course, I’m not talking about illegal immigrants so much as unknown terrorists.
I get that Lisa has never served in the military but anyone with common sense understands that it’s far more relevant to protect America/Americans from foreign threats domestically than it is abroad, especially in the face of immediate danger. I can’t even begin to imagine the logic behind not using the military based on geographic proximity. So if the threat is here then no, but if it’s “there” then yes? Complete idiocy!
Well, Murkowski you are WRONG…how do like those apples.
Perfect
I will call Lisa’s office today and remind her that Trump is following the law. Something she knows nothing of apparently.
It took her half a dozen times just to pass the Bar Exam, and that’s after her daddy secretly provided her the exam questions beforehand. Lisa only became US Senator after her daddy realized she couldn’t cut it as a lawyer.
I would never rely on Senator Murkowski’s interpretation of the law for guidance. Her three time attempt to pass the state bar exam confirms her lack of prowess about the law. Smarter people affirm Trump acted legally and prudently. Instead, as always, Senator Murkowski is guided by her pathological TDS.
We watched the hands off approach in 2020 when ‘blue cities’ burned, police were injured, and buildings were destroyed while feckless democrat mayors and governors claimed the rioters were just blowing off steam. The poor are the ones who suffer greatly from this wanton destruction.
Not this time.
“While Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Gov. Gavin Newsom say they don’t need outside help”
Because both of them are radical leftist death-cult nihilists who glorify destruction and social chaos, and who have zero intention of squelching the riots and insurrection.
Lisa RESIGN. None of us want you representing us. You lie, cheat and steal to get your way, and guess what? LA is getting what they deserve with them acting like this rioting like idiots over them wanting ILLEGAL ALIENS in our country. She seems to want that and THAT IS NOT THE LAW! We want assemblence of order!!!! No less!
If Trump were to send cookies and lemonade to the rioters, Murkowski would oppose it.
Yeah, great. I am sure that Senator Murkowski would not hesitate to deploy the Marines, Army and everything else on the ground and at the front in Ukraine. We are well on the way to turning parts of the United States into Haiti but will bear any burden to assist “democratic” Ukraine. Plus ten percent for the Big Guy.
Murkowski is Right! Dictatorships use their Military to attack they own Citizens!! This is what Authoritarianism looks like.
They are protecting the police from illegals that kill our children with their drugs, rape and kill young girls , burn our cities so what are you protecting ?
Keep telling yourself that, buddy. It’s definitely not a move to strip away our freedoms.
When you don’t know where to start, go back to the beginning …
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
Lisa, if you don’t understand this fundamental statement of the cornerstone document that is the foundation of LAW in America then you show/prove yourself unfit to be a lawmaker. It seems your words and motivations violate the oath you have sworn:
“I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.”
This is about the UNITED States of AMERICA – not divided, not the world. Lisa, if you don’t see defending the homeland among the highest of priorities, then you violate the oath, your promise to Alaskans. It seems high time you tender your resignation.
Well, it seems that the radical srxually deviant maoist narratives have been distributed from soros to his brain damaged drug addled acolyte NPCs in time to post comments.
So, folks in the country illegally are citizens in your mind?
People destroying property to support illegal aliens all while waving flags of foreign nations are citizens now?
.
When millions of military age men cross the border illegally it is not just another day. It is an invasion. I guess that would mean if China sent their military troops to occupy California we should tell the US Military to stand down?
.
Now, the moment the US Military starts arresting and/or deploying anything other than defensive force against US Citizens, yep, you are right. That is not happening, and I doubt it will.
You can always move to an actual authoritarian country. Then you’ll have context.
There is nothing illegal or wrong about DoD forces protecting federal properties. That has always been the case. The Marines are not a police force, they are security, which is a very different function. However, I am not at all surprised that Princess Lisa cannot tell the difference. She is intentionally obtuse on many issues so that she can then go sit with the cool kids on the left. There is likewise a reason why she looks so miserable all of the time. It isn’t a coincidence.
Nepotism princess’ opinion is worth less than nothing…….
Shame on her & frank for her underhanded, incestuous* appointment.
*(of human relations generally) excessively close and resistant to outside influence.
So, Princess Lisa is siding with the Left, that are DEPENDING ON ILLEGAL VOTES TO STAY IN POWER!
California will lose Democratic Representation that was built on illegal voting practices.
Of course. Never heard a word out of the Princess when her comrade puppet was sending out invitations and flooding the illegals crossing the border with taxpayer dollars to fund their new illegal life here in America all in the hopes of increasing their (bought and paid for with tax dollars) voting base.
Lisa belongs on the Delaware Beach caring for her deranged mentor.
Low IQ rino, you know who. How about we ignore all of her laws. If you state or local government support illegals aliens criminals and thinks that’s ok, well then it’s time all Americans pick and choose which laws they support and ignore the ones they don’t. Illegals were brought in to steal America. An open secret in DC.
Many of us swore to uphold law when taking the oath, I’ll stick with that.
Lisa Murkowski is a plague on America. Such an entitled little old woman who has no idea how our country functions. Frank, you were a SOB and POS for putting this demon into office.
Sorry, Ted. Hope we can still be friends.
Don’t worry LA protesters, the Marines are mostly peaceful people too!!
Lisa, if I was to offer you a penny for your thoughts, I would probably get change back.
Is sending in the troops a good decision? I do think it is a good decision but I pause as I recall living through the Kent state disaster and you can bet your bottom dollar at this very time that the Democrats are looking for a martyr to put up in front of the troops. The fake news would have a field day.
Send them to the gulags !
Yeah that has already happened without due process and it was against the law but you all pretend to care about the law. The underlining issue is racism which you all can’t handle.
” …. to protect us from foreign threats, but not within our own country”
Heh knucklehead …… the foreign threats ARE in our own country.
You and your, clueless blue, friends let them in.
Listened to KFI (LA radio) this AM on web…. the area of the riots constitutes 1% of LA area and 29% of commerce as this is major area of governmental infrastructure. 29% isn’t some East LA junk yard. Video of riots showed black clad guy with skateboard smashing window of ICE vehicle. That is Antifa! This isn’t local. Much of this was already planned for the summer for multiple cities… ala Saint George of Floyd. To ignore the bigger picture is to be complicate “Lisa!”
My oath of enlistment stated “from enemies, foreign and domestic.” So yeah the military can be used to protect from domestic threats in my opinion.
Sending in the United States Marines as trumpian goons at the behest of people only too willing to show their allegiance to a Jim Jones cult figure is wrong.
Speaking of Jim Jones people, you PROBABLY missed that Harvey Milk, the namesake of a navy ship named by Democratsinn his honor , ward very close with Jones, when he wasn’t in direct physical contact with his underaged ” partners”.
I’ve never seen so many “don’t tread on me” people licking boots and disrespecting our military at the same time.
Even, papa Frank the Bank would tell she is wrong, she just needs to ask daddy.
If they were protecting us from internal enemies, why is she still alive??? Never was a good lawyer
Disappearing construction and restaurant workers using the National Guard is immoral and unconstitutional. Militarizing police work is detrimental to democracy and must be stopped by the courts.
Nice narrative bending there Frank, but that is not what is happening. The NG was there to support LEO and ICE in deporting illegal immigrants. If those illegal immigrants were working at construction sites and restaurants, that means those businesses were exploiting vulnerable people for cheap labor, close to slavery. That should not be condoned by anyone. Those people who have come into the country illegally need to stand up for themselves and do things the right way like the rest of us have had to do. If they do that here, then they need to go home where they came from and take responsibility for their lives in their own country. Sorry you are losing your cotton pickers Frank, but hopefully you learn a lesson here. Your plantation mindset is coming to an end. The Democrat party will soon come to an end as they have long since revealed themselves to be people who care more about virtue signaling and service to self than actually loving the country they claim to serve.
Murkowski is sufferings extreme TDS, we need to send her back to the Democrats or her Daddy, ooops I repeat myself!
Get rid of her. She is a disgrace and a Democrat!
So I take it most of Alaska HATES Lisa…?? Yep I think so. I sure do. I’ve gone from dislike to hate..
Never Trumper Lisa is not much for brain power.
Too bad Lisa M doesn’t have grey matter within her democrat head! 2004 was the year she got my vote, not because of her, but because of the opposition. Too bad I didn’t know that there wasn’t much difference. A wasted vote for a wasted person, and I admit that mistake. Lisa, you wasted my time and far worse, stole my vote because you used it against me. You could do one thing to redeem yourself. Propose legislation to prevent people like you from doing the opposite of what they campaign to do!!
Ever hear of martial law, Lisa?
Happily, Lisa and her fellow travelers among democrats and democrat appointed judged are now operating in Break it, pay for it land. They now are taking full and complete responsibility for any and all property damage, injuries and deaths caused by the riots, seemingly uninterested in these being orchestrated and government funded photo ops intended to provoke the worst possible response by the feds in order to get the best possible photo of reaction. This is similar to the stunt that Padilla pulled in front of Noem yesterday, which Lisa is also outraged at. It’s all theater kids all the way down. Cheers –
Murkowski once again is giving women a bad rap. She’s proof that nepotism and DEI don’t work.
Lisa would rather see LA burn and ICE agents injured or worse. She cares illegals more than she cares about her own constituents. She’d rather see looting and rioting, ANTIFA blocking highways. She was silent during Ferguson, Minneapolis, Portland, Seattle and other locations. In reality, Lisa lacks courage, so, really, who cares what she thinks. She seems to always be on the wrong side of any issue. She has become an embarrassment to Alaskans and needs to be primaried.
Just like her kindred, Joe Biden, she’s wrong on most things.
If it is anti-Trump, Murky is on board with it. Doesn’t really matter what. This woman hates Trump almost as much as she hates babies.
She says “it’s wrong”, so that is right? Murkowski needs to keep her attention on Alaska where many things are NOT RIGHT and help fix them, starting with Anchorage.