Donald Trump News / Will Trump now declare 'martial law'? Why is there a commotion regarding April 20

Donald Trump News: Former US President Donald Trump began his second term on January 20, 2025, and now three months are about to be completed since his swearing-in. Meanwhile, speculation is rife in the US that Trump may impose martial law on April 20. The roots of this apprehension are hidden in an executive order, which Trump issued after taking power and which called for the implementation of the Insurrection Act of 1807.

What did Trump say?

Soon after taking oath on January 20, President Trump declared a "national emergency" on the US-Mexico border. In his order, he said that "America's sovereignty is under attack" and that he could implement the Insurrection Act of 1807 to stop this threat. According to this order, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security were to submit a report within 90 days recommending additional military action. This 90-day period now expires on April 20.

What is the Insurrection Act of 1807?

The Insurrection Act of 1807 empowers the US President to deploy the military and the National Guard to maintain law and order within the country. The act can be invoked specifically in situations when state governments or local administrations are unable to control a crisis.

The law also overrides the generally applicable Posse Comitatus Act, which prevents the military from intervening in normal civilian affairs. However, the Insurrection Act allows the President to use the military in specific situations, making it a powerful but controversial tool.

Is it the same as martial law?

There are fundamental differences between martial law and the Insurrection Act. While martial law involves complete control in the hands of the military — with all powers of the civilian government suspended — under the Insurrection Act, the military only assists the administration, not replace it. So, if Trump invokes the act, it will not be martial law but a limited military intervention.

Concerns and legal debates

Many experts have warned that the language of the Insurrection Act is vague and is a law ripe for abuse. Organizations like the Brennan Center for Justice advocate for reform of the act, as it does not clearly define terms like “insurrection”, “domestic violence”.

Advocacy groups say the act gives the president the power to use the military within the US without adequate oversight, which could pose a threat to democratic institutions.

What will happen on April 20?

It has been 90 days since the January 20 order, but there has been no public report or update from the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security.

On January 22, the Trump administration deployed 1,500 active duty service members to the southern border, and on January 29 the Secretary of Defense indicated plans to hold 30,000 criminal immigrants at Guantanamo Bay.

But no concrete information has come out since then. In such a situation, a large part of the American public is convinced that the Trump government can implement the Insurrection Act to take "complete control over the southern border".

Will the army be deployed on American soil?

There is no official confirmation yet whether Trump will deploy the army on April 20 or take any step like martial law. But given the situation, executive order and timeline, the fears are not unfounded.

It will be interesting to see what step is taken on April 20 - will it be a necessary exercise of constitutional power or a challenge to democracy?