The Dawn of Martial Law

— April 29, 2025 —

This week, President Trump signed a series of executive orders that, taken together, mark one of the most alarming federal expansions of power in recent U.S. history.

These directives don’t just touch immigration or law enforcement, they strike at the very heart of constitutional governance and the principle that has long separated American democracy from authoritarian rule: the line between military power and civilian life.

250-Year Tradition Under Threat

For nearly two and a half centuries, the United States has maintained a foundational principle: the military does not police American civilians. That idea was codified in the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, which prohibits the use of federal troops for domestic law enforcement except under extraordinary emergency conditions.

The last notable exception? The 1992 Los Angeles riots — a moment of institutional collapse and even then, with extraordinary legal and public oversight.

What makes Trump’s actions so dangerous is that he seeks to normalize what’s always been exceptional. His executive orders authorize:

• Federal legal defense for officers accused of misconduct — shielding them from local accountability.

• A surge of military-grade equipment to local police, blurring the lines between soldier and officer.

• Prosecution of local officials who promote diversity or limit federal law enforcement involvement.

• Threats to defund sanctuary cities that don’t fully cooperate with Trump’s immigration agenda.

Each of these measures undermines local control and invites federal intrusion into community-level decision making.

Authoritarian Framing in a Constitutional Shell

This is not about protecting the public. It’s about redefining the relationship between people and power. Trump’s directives are cloaked in the language of safety and enforcement. Their function is to centralize control, shield loyal enforcers, and criminalize opposition.

The orders signal a shift from policy to punishment. Dissenting city councils, inclusive police departments, and state leaders who resist compliance are cast as lawbreakers, not public servants.

Critically, they reframe inclusion and accountability as threats. A DEI program becomes "discrimination." Oversight becomes "obstruction."

Communicating Beyond the Silo

For those already wary of federal overreach, this may seem like another partisan overreaction but this is no left-right divide, it’s a top-down one. These executive orders put every community, every local government, every law-abiding official under the same shadow of federal enforcement.

To reach those caught in ideological silos, we have to start with shared values: local control, fair justice, and the rule of law. We must listen to the Montana rancher who doesn't want D.C. telling the sheriff how to run their county, and the city mayor who knows her police department works best when it's accountable to the people it serves, not to politicians in D.C.

Where is Senator Steve Daines in all this?

Silent. While Montana's constitutional traditions and local authority are being trampled, Daines says nothing. He does nothing to defend the rule of law or the separation of powers. His loyalty to Trump has left Montana unrepresented in this pivotal moment.

This moment is about whether we remain a nation of laws or become a nation of loyalty oaths.

Military as Messenger

The U.S. military has long been a symbol of protection, not policing. Its presence on American streets should be rare, extraordinary, and reluctant. That’s what made the 1992 LA riots so notable. That’s why we passed laws to prevent it. Trump’s orders dismantle that restraint.

Trump calls it strength but history calls it something else: martial law.

To be clear: this criticism is not an attack on our military or law enforcement. In fact, it’s because we respect their service and sacrifice that we must protect the integrity of their roles. Our soldiers swear an oath to defend the Constitution, not to police civilians. Our police officers deserve the support, resources, and trust that come from working within local communities, not being politicized by federal agendas.

We must not let executive power dismantle centuries of democratic tradition under the guise of public safety. Once the lines between law enforcement and military power are erased, we don't just lose balance, we risk losing the Republic.

What We Can Do

We still have a voice, and we still have the power to act. As a candidate for the U.S. Senate, I’ll work to pass legislation that reaffirms the Posse Comitatus Act and blocks funding for unauthorized military involvement in civilian policing. I’ll fight to protect local control and ensure that our sheriffs, mayors, and community leaders are never threatened for doing their jobs according to the Constitution.

I can’t do it alone.

If you’re reading this, you can help, too. Call your local leaders and demand they speak out against these orders. Write to your county commissioners, your state legislators, even your members of Congress. Ask them to stand up for the rule of law, not political loyalty. Show up to town halls and community events. Engage in your community, even run for office.

Above all, don’t be hesitant to share this information with neighbors and friends who may not yet see the threat clearly. Remember, there are more people in your community like you. Once you connect, you can organize and build awareness together.

Defending democracy doesn't start in Washington. It starts in every conversation we have, in every community we organize, and in every vote we cast.

Montana has always stood for independence and fairness. Let’s not lose that now.