In a striking reflection of his presidency’s combative nature, President Donald Trump proclaimed on Monday his readiness to invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807 “if it was necessary” to restore order across American cities and safeguard citizens. Such a proclamation would represent a remarkable assertion of presidential power, intensifying the ongoing tensions with various Democratic governors and urban officials.
“I would do it if it was necessary. So far, it hasn’t been necessary. But we have an Insurrection Act for a reason,” Trump stated from the Oval Office.
“If I had to enact it, I’d do that. If people were being killed and courts were holding us up or governors or mayors were holding us up, sure, I’d do that. I want to make sure that people aren’t killed. We have to make sure that our cities are safe.”
WATCH:
WOW! President Trump says he is PREPARED to invoke the Insurrection Act, if necessary. pic.twitter.com/kz5GZlU09u
“I’d do it if it was necessary…we have an Insurrection Act for a reason. If people were being injured, courts, governors, mayors hold us up? Sure, I’d do that. We…”
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 6, 2025
This warning emerges amidst an intense legal and political struggle concerning the deployment of federal and National Guard forces in cities where, according to the Trump administration, violent unrest coupled with attacks on federal officers has spiraled into chaos.
In a noteworthy legal twist, Judge Karin Immergut, appointed by Trump, again blocked the president’s attempts to deploy troops to quell the tumult in Portland, Oregon. Additionally, Illinois and the city of Chicago filed a lawsuit on Monday aimed at halting the federalization and deployment of Guard units within the city. However, U.S. District Judge April Perry, a Biden appointee, declined to issue a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), scheduling a hearing on the matter for Thursday.
The Insurrection Act of 1807 endows the president with expansive powers to deploy active military forces and federalize the National Guard during extreme circumstances – notably when states are unable to suppress insurrection, rebellion, or domestic violence.
From day one of his presidency, Trump has been eager to assert draconian measures. He signed an executive order branding cartel organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs). Moreover, he declared a national emergency at the Southern Border through an executive order.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller hinted earlier this year about the possibility of Trump invoking the Insurrection Act as part of the broader objective to eradicate drug cartels from U.S. soil.
Jim Hᴏft is the founder and editor of The Gateway Pundit, one of the top conservative news outlets in America. Jim was awarded the Reed Irvine Accuracy in Media Award in 2013 and is the proud recipient of the Breitbart Award for Excellence in Online Journalism from the Americans for Prosperity Foundation in May 2016.
You can email Jim Hᴏft here, and read more of Jim Hᴏft’s articles here.
