Amidst escalating unrest and protests in Los Angeles, President Donald Trump issued a stark warning on Tuesday: he would consider invoking the Insurrection Act. This comes on the heels of deploying troops to the city following several days of demonstrations and riots sparked by immigration enforcement measures.

The Insurrection Act is a powerful presidential tool, granting authority to deploy the military to quell domestic rebellions or violence under specific conditions. It’s a crucial exception to the Posse Comitatus Act, which typically restricts the U.S. military’s involvement in domestic law enforcement.

During a press briefing in the Oval Office, President Trump directly addressed the possibility of using the Act. When questioned, he stated, “If there’s an insurrection, I would certainly invoke it. We’ll see.” This statement leaves the potential use of this extraordinary measure hanging in the balance, raising concerns and fueling debate about the appropriate response to civil unrest and the limits of presidential power.