military

U.S. federal and state judges have asserted that military involvement in civilian affairs is legally fraught and can threaten constitutional liberties, leading courts to scrutinize or block domestic deployments of military forces.

Effective counter-drone operations typically require layered defensive systems and coordinated action between military forces and civilian law enforcement because legal authorities and operational constraints differ inside national airspace.

Under laws governing the use of force, militaries are prohibited from deliberately targeting civilians who do not pose an imminent threat of violence, even if those civilians are criminal suspects.

Emergency response to severe storms commonly uses heavy equipment and military resources to clear blocked roads and to rescue people trapped in isolated communities at risk from landslides.

Military port visits and joint exercises are commonly used to strengthen partner nations' capacity to fight transnational crime and to build resilience through training and humanitarian activities.

The U.S. Department of Defense can use unspent research and development funds from prior fiscal years to cover military payroll during a lapse in appropriations, but such uses are typically temporary.

U.S. federal government shutdowns can disrupt military pay and can affect broader economic activity.

United States legal traditions and statutes generally bar using military troops to perform domestic civilian policing duties, reflecting a long-standing norm against deploying troops to police civilians.

A U.S. federal government shutdown can result in suspension or reduction of government services and can cause federal employees, including some military personnel, to be furloughed or to work without immediate pay.

Courts consider the relationships between the federal government and the states, between the military and domestic law enforcement, and between the executive, legislative and judicial branches to be fundamental constitutional principles.

Rules of engagement are military directives that define how and when force may be used and are intended to help accomplish mission objectives, including the protection of civilians.

During U.S. federal government shutdowns, nonessential federal employees are typically placed on furlough rather than being terminated.