[84rules]

Posse comitatus, anyone? Under most circumstances, the President cannot use the U.S. military as a civilian police force. Unless there is a major emergency or an open rebellion, this new unit will not pass Posse Comitatus. (Note: the Coast Guard is excluded as are National Guard units when under State control.

[Cboldt]

-- Posse comitatus, anyone? Under most circumstances, the President cannot use the U.S. military as a civilian police force. --

Bush requested and obtained revisions to that section of law. The feds now have the power to insert themselves without a request from a governor. IOW, the feds decide what constitutes emergency, and the feds self-declare the circumstances as warranting the use of federal military troops to handle the situation.