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PBS News Hour

The Insurrection Act's powers as Trump threatens to use it

Season 2026 Episode 15 | 5m 52s

President Trump's threat to invoke the Insurrection Act is sparking concern among critics who warn that the law's sweeping powers make it easy to misuse, particularly in moments of domestic unrest. To help us understand what’s at stake, Geoff Bennett spoke with Elizabeth Goitein, senior director of the Liberty and National Security Program at the Brennan Center for Justice.

Major corporate funding for the PBS News Hour is provided by BDO, BNSF, Consumer Cellular, American Cruise Lines, and Raymond James. Funding for the PBS NewsHour Weekend is provided by Consumer Cellular and Cunard Cruise Line. For a complete list of funders for the PBS NewsHour and PBS NewsHour weekend, click here.
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