TikToker Warns Invoking the Insurrection Act Could Turn Cities Into a 'Military State' — What That Would Mean

A TikTok user posting under the handle thefeministlawyer warned in a recent clip that invoking the Insurrection Act could transform daily life in cities into what she described as a "military state." Addressing viewers outside Minneapolis, she asked whether they understood the implications of such a move and urged people to consider how it would affect civil liberties and everyday safety.

What the TikTok Clip Said

In the video, the creator warns that the president "is threatening to invoke the Insurrection Act... so that we can be living in a military state." The comment tapped into broader public concern about the domestic use of military forces and their role alongside civilian law enforcement.

What the Insurrection Act Would Allow

As NPR and legal analysts have explained, a successful invocation of the Insurrection Act could allow the federal government to deploy active-duty troops into a state to address unrest or protect federal interests. Under that authority, armed forces could be authorized to perform certain law enforcement functions normally handled by civilian police.

• Deployment Of Troops: Federal forces could be sent into a state to restore order or protect federal property.
• Law Enforcement Functions: Military personnel might be permitted to carry out arrests, conduct searches, or otherwise take on roles typically reserved for civilian officers.
• Protecting Federal Buildings: The statute could broaden the military's role in guarding federal facilities and assets.
• Immigration Enforcement: Critics say the act could be used to bolster immigration operations, increasing military presence in nontraditional security roles.

Why People Are Worried

Observers and civil liberties advocates say allowing the military to perform domestic policing tasks raises serious questions about oversight, accountability, and constitutional protections. The prospect of soldiers making arrests or conducting searches can blur the line between national defense and everyday law enforcement, with potentially chilling effects on protest, privacy, and community trust.

“Do people who do not live in Minneapolis understand this?” the TikToker asked, pressing listeners to consider how expanded military authority would affect ordinary life.

The TikTok post and subsequent reporting have intensified public debate about when — and whether — the Insurrection Act should be used, and what safeguards would be necessary to protect civil rights if it were.