Soldiers don't belong on the streets of US cities

Using federal law enforcement and military troops to enforce law and order in Washington, D.C., may be well-intentioned. But history and experience suggest it is counterproductive.

Rather than promoting peace, such deployments often undermine trust, escalate tensions and erode civil liberties.

Military and federal involvement in domestic policing has a troubled history, often linked to civil rights violations and heavy-handed governance. In Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957, the deployment of federal troops was met with public resentment, fostering a perception of military forces as oppressors rather than protectors.

This legacy fuels skepticism today, with military presence in civilian settings often worsening tensions between citizens and law enforcement.

In a democracy, civilian police