By Stephen Zogopoulos, USNN World News
On September 27, 2024, the Biden Administration quietly approved an update to Pentagon Directive 5240.01, a move that dramatically alters the U.S. military’s role within American borders. For the first time in modern history, the directive grants the military the authority to use deadly force against U.S. citizens in specific, vaguely defined circumstances. Under the guise of “national security,” this shift in policy marks a dangerous erosion of the civil liberties that are the cornerstone of American democracy.
Deadly Force on U.S. Soil: A Constitutional Crisis
The U.S. Constitution explicitly protects citizens from unwarranted government overreach, most notably through the Fourth Amendment, which safeguards against unreasonable searches and seizures, and the Fifth Amendment, which ensures due process before depriving individuals of life, liberty, or property. Yet, Pentagon Directive 5240.01, reissued in 2024, opens the door for the military to intervene on U.S. soil in life-threatening situations without these constitutional safeguards. Although the directive claims to prohibit assassinations, it permits the use of lethal force in national security emergencies without prior approval from a judge, sidestepping due process altogether.
This directive allows military leaders to make life-or-death decisions for up to 72 hours in emergency situations, without judicial oversight. These decisions can be made if military personnel believe there is an imminent threat, even if that threat involves U.S. citizens. Such authority fundamentally conflicts with the constitutional framework that has historically kept the military separate from civilian law enforcement—a cornerstone of American democracy.
A Slippery Slope Toward Authoritarianism
While the use of the military in domestic settings has always been a sensitive issue, President Biden’s administration appears to have taken it to the next level. By blurring the line between law enforcement and military operations, the directive raises concerns about a potential slide toward authoritarianism. Historically, the Posse Comitatus Act was enacted to limit the use of federal military forces in domestic law enforcement, except in extreme situations like natural disasters or riots. However, with the approval of deadly force against citizens, it seems that this administration is willing to sidestep such protections.
Many have begun to ask: Is this administration behaving more like a dictatorship than a democracy? The founding principles of America include checks and balances, transparency, and civilian control of the military. By giving the military greater latitude to use deadly force on its own citizens, Biden’s administration is arguably undermining those core principles. It’s a move that mirrors more authoritarian regimes where military power is used to suppress dissent and maintain control, rather than protect freedom.
The Militarization of Domestic Policy
The justification for this change is rooted in concerns over national security. Yet, what constitutes a “national security emergency” has been left intentionally vague, raising fears that this broad definition could be exploited. Does this mean protests, civil unrest, or even opposition to government policies could now be met with military force?
In light of the upcoming elections, the timing of this directive is particularly concerning. Are we witnessing the groundwork being laid for a government that will not hesitate to use the military to silence its critics or squash any perceived threats? If so, this is not the democracy that the U.S. Constitution guarantees.
A Call to Uphold the Constitution
America is at a critical juncture. The directive under the Biden Administration represents a seismic shift in the relationship between the government and its citizens. The Constitution exists to protect the rights of the people from government overreach, but the approval of lethal force against U.S. citizens on U.S. soil without due process flies in the face of those protections. If we do not question and push back against such dangerous precedents, we risk losing the very freedoms that define us as a nation.
The militarization of domestic policy is not the answer to preserving national security—it is a threat to the fundamental liberties that make America what it is. The Biden Administration’s actions, in this case, should not go unchecked, and it is up to the American people to demand accountability and a return to constitutional governance.
In conclusion, Pentagon Directive 5240.01 is not just a legal or military matter; it is a constitutional crisis waiting to unfold. By approving the use of deadly force by the military on U.S. citizens under vague conditions, the Biden Administration is treading a dangerous path that brings it closer to authoritarianism than to the democratic values enshrined in the Constitution. The American people must remain vigilant to ensure that their rights are not eroded in the name of security.
Let us not forget that the government serves the people, not the other way around.
Disclaimer: This article is an opinion-based piece. The views expressed here are solely those of the author, Stephen Zogopoulos, and do not necessarily reflect the views of USNN World News Corporation or any affiliated entities.
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