The president and many of his Rat friends realize that the only way to make the changes they want is if they are able to take complete control of society. When the Federal Government declares marshal law to get society back under control they will fundamentally change our society.
I am not sure local and state governments will fall for the trap or even honor the marshal law, that is when we will see if our representatives have any gonads.
Martial.
Marshal Law is a Tekken character.