Healthy Word Salad

Healthy Word Salad

When the Troops Come Home—To Police Us

A Brief History of U.S. Military Force Turned Inward

Rob Archer's avatar
Rob Archer
Jun 12, 2025
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When the National Guard rolls into town, the visual is unmistakable: camo-clad soldiers, rifles slung, standing watch not in Baghdad, but Bakersfield. And this week, troops in Los Angeles.

It’s not a new thing.

Presidents and governors have called on military force—National Guard or active-duty military—many times to quell unrest, enforce laws, or flex co…

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