Publication

The author contends that the Posse Comitatus Act (PCA), which forbids the use of the US military for domestic law enforcement, was too broad when enacted in 1878. Since then, the law increasingly has become difficult for the military to interpret and apply. The difficulty in correctly interpreting and applying the Act causes widespread confusion at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels of the US military. Therefore, he suggests that authorities should review the efficacy of the PCA, since an analysis will reveal that, although the policy goals behind the Act are generally sound and desirable, Congress could better implement their intent through other means.