Fact check: How many times has the Insurrection Act been invoked in US history?

1. Summary of the results

The Insurrection Act has been invoked exactly 30 times in US history over a period of 230 years ^{[1] [2]}. The most recent use of the Act was during the 1992 Los Angeles riots ^{[2] [3] [4]}.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several crucial contextual points need to be considered:

• The Act gives presidents the extraordinary power to deploy military forces against American citizens within US borders ^[1]
• Notable historical uses include:
• Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy using it for school desegregation ^[4]
• Jefferson deploying it against British-trading merchants in 1808 ^[3]
• Multiple deployments during Reconstruction to combat racist violence ^[3]
• Johnson's use during riots following MLK Jr.'s assassination ^[3]
• Response to natural disasters, such as Hurricane Hugo in Virgin Islands ^[3]

Important to note that not all invocations resulted in actual troop deployments ^[1]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The simple numerical answer of "30 times" requires important context:

• The Act is considered broad and potentially in need of reform ^[4], suggesting potential for misuse
• The variety of situations where it has been invoked shows both positive uses (desegregation) and more controversial ones (labor strikes):
• Used against labor movements (Pullman Strike, West Virginia strike) ^[3]
• Used for civil rights enforcement ^[4]
• Used for riot control (Detroit 1943, LA 1992) ^[3]

Those who benefit from emphasizing different aspects include:

• Civil rights advocates highlighting its use in desegregation
• Labor rights groups pointing to its use against strikes
• Reform advocates using its broad scope to argue for modifications