Martial Law in the United States: How Likely is it, and What will happen under Martial law?

The march towards martial law is something that is often ignored by the general public, often labeled as Quackery or something belonging on conspiracy websites. But what’s happening in this country is exactly what our founders warned us about, and martial law is something they took very, very seriously.

What is martial law?

If you’re looking for a definition, then Martial Law basically means using state or national military force to enforce the will of the government on the people.

Under a declaration of martial law, Constitutional freedoms and liberties are suspended, and civilians are no longer entitled to their civil rights. It basically allows the government, or a tyrannical politician, to shred the Constitution and impose its will through military force.

History of Martial Law in the United States of America

“Those that fail to learn from history, are doomed to repeat it.”
Winston Churchill

In one way or another, there have always been tyrants who have used the power of government to suppress and control the public. But if we are looking for specific examples of Martial Law being used inside the United States, we don’t have to look very hard or far to find them.

Using the strictest definition of the term, we can see the roots of martial law in America take hold during the lead up to the Revolutionary war. Although there were many reasons for the war, including resistance to taxes imposed by the British parliament, the main catalyst was England’s decision to use military troops to enforce everyday law throughout the colonies.

The beginning of the end? The Civil War Ushers in a Strong Central Government through Martial Law Enforcement

Civil War Soldiers

Flash forward a hundred years, and many of the most egregious examples of martial law can be found throughout the civil war. While today’s history books largely ignore the real reasons for the war or the many atrocities committed by President Lincoln, the facts of what really happened cannot be disputed.

The reason we have lost so many of our liberties can be tied directly to the civil war.

On September 15, 1863, President Lincoln imposed Congressionally-authorized martial law. While history contends the war was fought to end slavery, the truth is, Lincoln by his own admission never really cared about freeing slaves. In fact, Lincoln never intended to abolish slavery, his main interest was centralizing government power and using the federal government to exert complete control over all citizens. The abolishment of slavery was only a byproduct of the war. It actually took the 13th amendment to end slavery, since Lincoln actually only freed Southern slaves, not slaves in states loyal to the Union.

During the Civil War, Lincoln continually violated the Constitution, in some cases suspending the entire Constitution that he swore to uphold.  

  • He suspended the writ of Habeas Corpus without the consent of congress.
  • He shut down newspapers whose writers displayed any dissent to Union policy or spoke out against him.
  • He raised troops without the consent of Congress.
  • He closed courts by force.
  • He even imprisoned citizens, newspaper owners,and elected officials without cause and without a trial.

Our founders were very wary of using the military to enforce public policy, and concerns about this type of abuse date back to, and largely influenced, the creation of the Constitution. The founders continually warned about using military force to uphold law and order; unfortunately, most Americans are rather ignorant of history and are even more ignorant to what our founders intended when they created the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

What will happen under Martial law?

Military Style SWAT Team Raid

The actual words martial law will probably never be used.

The first thing you will likely see is a declaration of a “State of Emergency” — we witnessed this first hand during the so-called COVID pandemic. This may be done nationally, in cases of war or a large-scale terrorist attacks; or it may happen locally, as witnessed in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

In August of 2005, New Orleans was declared a disaster area and a state of emergency was declared by the governor. This allowed state officials to order evacuations and forcefully remove residents from their homes, suspend certain laws, confiscate firearms, and suspend the sale of items like liquor, firearms, and ammunition.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans police, the U.S. Marshals office, and the Louisiana National Guard forcibly confiscated over 1,000 legal firearms from law-abiding citizens.

Depending on the reasons behind the declaration you may also see:

  • The suspension of the Constitution, probably starting with the first and second amendment.
  • Confiscation of firearms; it has happened and it will happen again.
  • Suspension of Habeas corpus: Imprisonment without due process and without a trial.
  • Travel Restrictions, including road closures and possibly, even quarantine zones.
  • Mandatory Curfews and Mandatory Identification.
  • Automatic search and seizures without a warrant.

When can Martial Law be enacted?

Military Force

When Martial Law can be enacted is a pretty touchy subject, largely because our founders never intended the federal government or a standing army be permitted to take such actions. Unfortunately, most people accept these unconstitutional activities and are more than willing to give up their essential liberties in exchange for peace of mind and not having to think for themselves.

This is something Benjamin Franklin warned about when he famously wrote,
“Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.”

How likely is martial law in the United States?

Let’s face it, this country is a ticking time bomb. From widespread social unrest, crime, and violence to a growing national debt which includes an entire subset of our population that depends on government assistance to exist, the writing is on the wall: Trouble is Coming.

Riots in the Streets of America

In my opinion, we are already under a form of martial law. The founders never intended standing armies policing the citizens of the United States; sadly that is exactly what we have.

Drones, armored vehicles with high power weapons, tanks, and battlefield helicopters are no longer something that you see on some foreign battlefield; it’s now standard operating procedure at police stations throughout the country. Our federal government has poured billions of dollars into militarizing and taking over our country’s local police forces, in what can only be described as a domestic military force or standing army meant to enforce federal law.

President Bush Expands Martial Law Authority

George Bush Signing Homeland Security Bill

On September 29, 2006, President George W. Bush signed the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2007 (H.R. 5122). The law expanded the President’s authority to declare Martial Law under revisions to the Insurrection Act and actually allowed the President to take charge of National Guard troops without state governor authorization.

While certain aspects of the bill were rolled back in 2008, President Obama used the 2012 NDAA to further strengthen the Executive offices ability to declare Martial Law and added provisions that would allow military troops to detain U.S. citizens without a trial.

President Obama Forms National Police Task Force; Uses Social unrest as Justification.

Obama Signing Bill

In March of 2015, the Obama administration put together a task force that outlined rules for our nation’s police.

In his Task Force on 21st-century policing report, he outlined the formation of a National Policing Practices and Accountability Division within the federal government. The report went on to describe how the Department of Homeland Security could be used to “ensure that community policing tactics in state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies are incorporated into their role in homeland security.”

Increasing number of Joint Police/Military Drills are using American Citizens as Theoretical Threats.

From the Jade Helm Military drills that classified Texas and Utah as hostile zones, to National Guard troops in California using crisis actors to portray “right-wing” U.S. citizens in their training exercises, over the last couple of decades there has been a growing number of military-style drills that are portraying American citizens as the perceived threat.

Military Style Police Force

Back in 2012, an army report about the future use of the military as a police force within the United States looked at theoretical situations where the U.S. Army could be used against Tea Party “insurrectionists” who take over U.S. cities. During that same time period, the Department of Homeland Security released a report titled, “Hot Spots of Terrorism and Other Crimes in the United States,” where they outlined who the federal government sees as the largest terrorist threat in the country – that threat was U.S. citizens with extreme “right-wing” views.

The United Stated of America that our Founders created is gone; it’s been replaced by a system that has grown so powerful that most people don’t even realize they’ve become enslaved by that very system.

So how likely is Martial Law in the United States? Well, in some form it’s already here; unfortunately, most people choose to ignore the reality of the situation. That being said, to see it fully enacted we will likely first see a major crisis – either real or manufactured – something like a large-scale terror attack, war with a rogue nation, or a “major pandemic” disease outbreak.

Martial Law Preparedness Resources:

  • Prepper 101: Your Survival Guide to Getting Started: General preparedness guidelines that will help during any crisis or long-term survival situation.
  • Bugout Planning: During martial law, it’s likely that most routes of travel will be severely restricted making bugging out something you need to think about well ahead of time.
  • Pandemics and How to Prepare for a Pandemic Outbreak: We list this here because it’s one disaster situation that has the potential to scare the entire populace into accepting some form of martial law, quarantine, and military checkpoints.
  • Emergency Communication Preparedness Checklist: During times of crisis, especially a martial law situation, uncensored information will be hard to come by. In all likelihood, you will see a sort of digital quarantine on top of the physical barriers with information on the internet and digital airwaves controlled by the government. You need to have a plan to get unfiltered news and information from trusted sources.
  • Best Emergency Food: The Top Survival Food Supplies: During any type of disaster you need to make sure you have adequate supplies on hand, including food, water, medical supplies, and self-defense supplies.
Sign up for OFFGRID Newsletter

26 Comments

  1. I like the idea tx im a vet we need to use common sense no one has anymore if shtf or martial law starts do not ware cammo you need to blend in get off social media facebook ext. Bulls eye. Out of 200 million how many are trained vets with weapons to protect old glory. On the minute second to none

  2. your all wrong…I agree on what is happening in this country and what is coming but only God himself is going to sort out the lions and lambs and bring it to a halt…QUICK

  3. You all dead soon your presidents are all king johns grandsons. Google it fools. Revenge for the revolutionary war? I think not. The redcoats never lost. It was allowed for you all to think you won against england. As you celebrated the 4th of july the english laugh in their tea.

    • That means literally nothing. If King John has 2 children, who each had 2 children, and so on, and there were no cousin marriages, 40 generations later, he would have more descendants than people on Earth. You are probably his direct descendant.

  4. I have been ready for years, I have military background and I am not about to let some low lifes do this, that can pry my gun from my cold dead body, but until then I will do what is necessary to protect our rights and fellow Americans. I am also a Kazak, which means I am Russian, and ill go out with a bang before any one tries to hurt me or my community.

  5. We should also start making our own malitia, to go against the, set up central hubs, and start training people in our own communities for these types of situation’s, don’t be scared to ask, some people are also getting ready its better to have many then just you.

  6. ISIS and all the terrorist plots are made by the America and Israel. Now as a plot like 9/11, another event will sure be created to let people believe all Muslims are terrorists. Martial Law will be implemented and Muslims will be slaughtered and New World order will be implemented lead by Israel.

  7. Bonus Army,
    Gathering of 12,000 to 15,000 World War I veterans who, with their wives and children, converged on Washington, D.C., in 1932, demanding immediate bonus payment for wartime services to alleviate the economic hardship of the Great Depression.They moved into abandoned shacks below the Capitol and set up shanties and tents along the Anacostia River. Despite inadequate housing, sanitation, and food, the movement’s leader, Walter W. Waters, managed to maintain order and to oust agitators. The bonus bill was defeated in Congress, however, and most of the veterans left for home discouraged. The rest, variously estimated at 2,000 to 5,000, over the next few weeks engaged in protests and near-riots, producing an atmosphere of restlessness and threats of turbulence. Local authorities requested that President Herbert Hoover intervene. Troops led by Brigadier General Perry L. Miles, accompanied by General Douglas MacArthur, the U.S. Army chief of staff, drove out the demonstrators and destroyed their encampments, using tanks and tear gas. One veteran was shot to death, and several veterans and policemen were wounded. Congress then appropriated $100,000 to send the protestors home, and they dispersed.

    …THE U.S. MILITARY WILL NOT HARM/SHOOT ITS OWN CITIZENS…what kind of moron would make such an ignorant statement…

    Get out while you still can…don’t be complacent and live in denial…more than SIX MILLION did just that…and they all performed in the Spandau Ballet…

  8. I’ll probably receive some hate for this but here goes – If push comes to shove, I think we Americans should stay and fight for this country to get it back on track. We make this country after all, we have every ounce of responsibility to make this place better than those behind their desks, money, and their weapons. Without us, what would really be of today? Sure, things are turning slightly blue as far as living conditions and our well-being, but what are any of us doing to stop any of it from happening? Preparing for dooms days – for what!! We Americans have the chance to stand up for whats right but instead we’re comfortable with our robotic lifestyle and preparing ourselves for the worst. This isn’t something that we should spend so much time preparing for though – but preventing – right NOW! I do believe that when push comes to shove the American people will stand – but I also fear that there will be far more causalities than necessary which is why when I say resorting to violence isn’t wise – I think all of you can understand to a degree what I mean. If you are rightfully informed and confident that you have control, there is no need to fight or kill anyone for that matter because every American knows that this country stands because of all of us and it only falls to corruption and greed now in office. Violence is not the answer – if it is, we’re honestly no better than those corrupt because we simply refuse to lead by example and insist on building the nation back up with blood on our hands – the same actions that have been carried through from one generation to another, with the same catastrophic results. Shame me for saying any of this but I think as a nation we have much to prove of our current value and killing to protect ourselves isn’t a strategy at all but a result of desperation, fear and lack of control. There’s roughly 320 million people populating the USA – I think those numbers alone speak for themselves that violence isn’t the solution – but our presence is. Can you imagine standing before millions of people just to look behind you and find only but a thousand or so?…

  9. Im with all my true Americans we will not back down or lay down for anyone. We need to remember in the case that this materializes I think we will come tohether as a people quickly and we will triumph. No one is taking my freedom or any other American I can stand with. This would be a bad move for the corrupt. Americans are fed up and its time to take back this great country, IT BELONGS TO US AND WERE KEEPING IT. HAVE A PLAN TO BAND TOGETHER QUICKLY WE HAVE THE NUMBERS, HELP EACHOTHER N WE’LL SEE WHO ENDS UP IN FEMA CAMPS IF THEY TRY IT.

  10. If everyone really thinks about it Obama has been making statements that he will be the last president ever, don’t you think it is funny that he now signs this bill when in November he is going to be elected out of office?

  11. My local sheriff said he, along with his deputies will shoot any Feds trying to hurt the citizens under his jurisdiction. Having met lots of his deputies, I don’t doubt him. When he was asked about a armored military vehicle the government gave him, he kind of chuckled, like, ” yeah they gave it to me, those ignorant basterds gave me a weapon ” surely for protection against the government. So I also heard federal activity(even for small investigations) isn’t permitted in my county with the sheriffs approval or warrant. Even then, probably not without a few deputies tagging along making sure Uncle Sam behaves.

  12. Holy cow! I came across this website by accident. You’re all a bunch of paranoid right-wing nuts! May God protect us from people like you who think the federal government is always conspiring to establish some sort of tyrannical monarchy. I hope the FBI is monitoring this site and trying to figure out who to place on their watch list. For the most extreme of you, your brand of “survival” is a form of terrorism just as dangerous as that of the radical Islamic terrorists. May I remind you that sedition is defined as “incitement of discontent or rebellion against a government; any action, especially in speech or writing, promoting such discontent or rebellion.” You looney tunes are so smug they you don’t even understand the serious potential consequences of what you’re saying. You need to read 18 U.S. Code Chapter 115 so you realize why you’re being carted off in handcuffs.

    • PYHOOYA to let your single brain cell get some oxygen. There is high probability the queer, Muslim, liar-in-chief at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., Washington, DC will fabricate a ‘National Emergency’ to round up people to fill the 800+ FEMA camps with sheeple like you that refuse to believe all the markings in society are leading toward Martial Law. When it happens 35,000 guillotines will be pulled out of storage and the rail cars equipped with shackles will roll as they are filled with FEMA campers. I hope you have reinforced doors able to resist battering rams of gov’t. thugs when they enter your neighborhood. Images of New Orleans when gov’t. thugs broke into homes and stole people’s weapons show about 6 armed men breaking into each residence at one time. Did they present legal search warrants when they came to each residence door? I think not!

    • So be coward. I will die with my bible and gun in hand.If you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything

  13. Get ready because Marshall Law is coming and exspect it to happen very soon before 2016 ends! Our government is way out of control! It will be a outside military controlling Marshall law under Obama, there is already plans set in place for us ex military, current, and law enforcement to be relieved of any control and felt with! We the people of the United States need to uprise and take this crooked government out because its clear as a picture their intent is satisfying foreign relations and even supporting terrorist groups who have killed our brothers in the military and even bringing certain individuals into the united states and turning their heads as the lunatic kills innocent cilivians and there is another intense subject, that happens and all you hear blown up is GUN CONTROL and taking our rights away! That is total bs! Foreign countries do not tolerate a corrupted government, they immediately take over the government, behead and kill their officials who try to control and bully the people! America is a bunch of pussies and will not even think about aggression like that and long story short, we are in trouble and its gonna be to late!!!! We need to take the step and fight, This is our country and our freedom at stake!

  14. we as a country have known our government has been corrupt for years, yet we still allowed the election of puppets and dictators, If we as a country was smart, we would have prevented this from the start. Yet here we are, having this discussion. The right thing to do would be to impeach him now, overthrow the bad parties before gets worse, however all that will be done is post about this and that.

  15. I’m just 14 years old about to be 15 and i know alot thank god to my parents they know alot!They teach us about whats going on over here in the U.S and i listen.Guys this is the end this is a sign that gods coming soon so be prepared everyone.U guys should do some research on martial law u know obama signed the EO and martial law is said
    will probably happen next month in August so everyone be prepared and god bless fight for whats yours!

  16. Fuck martial law enforcement it is wrong and not American. I refuse to follow you and will stand up against you. I’m not scared to die atleast it will be for a good cause. As stupid as It sounds maybe another civil war is what is needed. just a thought. I think America needs to wise the fuck up.

  17. Where are people who know this is happening going to go?? What am i supposed to do? Where will i live? The ocean, under a rock, the woods? Seriously

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*