Without Permission: Presidential Power and Federalized Troops

In this week's episode, associate editor Carter Pasternak explores President Donald Trump’s 2025 efforts to federalize state National Guard units and deploy active-duty military forces in U.S. cities, beginning in California, extending to Washington, D.C., and now Chicago. It examines how these actions raise profound constitutional questions about the balance between state sovereignty and federal power. The discussion traces the issues’ constitutional roots, outlines the statutory framework, and explores possible loopholes available to the executive. The episode reviews Newsom v. Trump before turning to Illinois, where similar legal challenges could set a lasting precedent for the future role of the military in American civil life and the scope of presidential discretionary power within the states. If you're interested in the episode's topic please check out these resources to learn more: https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/what-does-us-national-guard-do https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/defining--rebellion--in-10-u.s.c.---12406-and-the-insurrection-act https://protectdemocracy.org/work/domestic-deployment-military-explained/ https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/posse-comitatus-act-explained?utm.com https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/presidents-power-call-out-national-guard-not-blank-check?utm.com https://www.brookings.edu/articles/how-can-the-president-put-soldiers-on-the-streets-of-los-angeles/ https://statesunited.org/resources/newsom-v-trump/ https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-lingering-uncertainty-in-judge-breyer-s-newsom-v.-trump-ruling?utm.com