A Pentagon directive that details military support to civilian authorities has potentially troubling aspects that involve the use of federal military force against American citizens on U.S. soil.<\/p>\n
The directive, which outlines the Obama administrations policy regarding military support, was issued on Dec. 29, 2010.<\/p>\n
While there are noncontroversial provisions, such as support to civilian fire and emergency services and domestic use of the Army Corps of Engineers, the more troubling aspects of the directive are in regards to the domestic use of military arms and forces.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis appears to be the latest step in the administration\u2019s decision to use force within the United States against its citizens,\u201d said a defense official opposed to the directive, according to the Washington Times.<\/p>\n
The directive, No. 3025.18, \u201cDefense Support of Civil Authorities,\u201d states that U.S. commanders \u201care provided emergency authority under this directive.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFederal military forces shall not be used to quell civil disturbances unless specifically authorized by the president in accordance with applicable law or permitted under emergency authority,\u201d the directive states.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn these circumstances, those federal military commanders have the authority, in extraordinary emergency circumstances where prior authorization by the president is impossible and duly constituted local authorities are unable to control the situation, to engage temporarily in activities that are necessary to quell large-scale, unexpected civil disturbances,\u201d<\/p>\n