Rarely used federal statutes, including the Posse Comitatus Act and the Insurrection Act of 1807, carry surprising weight in modern politics. Though they date back to Reconstruction-era America, these laws affect debates about deploying troops and the limits of federal power.

In a move not seen in decades, President Donald Trump is threatening to activate the Insurrection Act. The threat comes amid persistent protests over ICE activity in Minnesota.

President Trump has taken his legal battle over deploying the National Guard to Chicago to the Supreme Court, challenging lower court rulings that blocked the move. The White House insists federal officers face serious risks, but judges remain unconvinced, citing conflicts with local authorities and constitutional protections.