As the United States commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the document's list of grievances against King George III offers a striking parallel to contemporary concerns about executive overreach.
The founders objected to the British crown's insertion of military troops into civilian life, including standing armies during peacetime without consent, forced quartering of soldiers, and inciting domestic insurrections.
Modern Parallels to Colonial Complaints
Today, critics draw comparisons between those complaints and actions by the Trump administration: deploying federal agents like ICE and CBP to harass people, federalizing the National Guard and Marines in US cities, and using troops over the objections of Democratic governors.
The Declaration also condemned the crown's attack on the judiciary, a tactic seen in efforts to control courts that might rein in military power.
In December, the US Supreme Court ruled against Trump in Trump v Illinois, finding that his administration violated the law by deploying the Illinois National Guard in Chicago without proper authority.
However, Trump could still invoke the Insurrection Act, a broader statute that civil rights groups warn may grant unchecked presidential power to deploy troops domestically.
Risks to Democratic Institutions
Trump has expressed regret for not using the military to seize voting machines after the 2020 election, raising fears he might attempt to influence the upcoming midterms.
His administration has already sought voter roll data and filed lawsuits to enforce demands, though several courts have ruled such actions unlawful.
The 2024 Supreme Court decision in Trump v United States granted presidents immunity for official acts, potentially shielding Trump from prosecution for domestic deployments even if unlawful.
Military lawyers may be reluctant to challenge illegal orders due to fear of removal or prosecution, and Trump could offer pardons to secure allegiance.
The founders' warning against using the military to undermine civilian governance remains relevant: separating civilian and military authority is a cornerstone of democracy.
State governors' fight to maintain control over their National Guard represents a battle for federal checks and balances and for the military's fidelity to the rule of law.
Americans must decide whether to reclaim their sovereignty and reject a return to monarchical rule, as the Declaration once asserted popular sovereignty against a king.
