The framers of the Constitution opposed standing armies in general, and especially their use for any purpose other than defending the country against foreign enemies. It was the arrest of civilians by the British army, quartering of soldiers in private homes, and similarly incendiary tactics that provided the tinder that sparked the American Revolution. Less than a century later, President Lincoln usurped constitutional authority in well-chronicled ways. Since that time, understanding of the dangers of deploying the military in the domestic arena has diminished. Francis Mullen, administrator of the Drug Enforcement Agency, once casually dismissed civil libertarians' concerns about potential abuses if the military joined law enforcement.
Military leaders appear more aware of the danger of deploying forces domestically.
Marine Major General Stephen G. Olmstead, deputy assistant secretary of defense for drug policy, warned a Senate subcommittee in 1987 that calling out the military to fight the drug war within the U.S. would be unwise. History is replete with countries that allowed that to happen. Disaster is the result. Use of military procedure by FBI agents proved disastrous at Ruby Ridge. Vicky Weaver was murdered in part because the officers who shot her were governed by military rules of engagement.