Jul 14, 2025 The Role of Military in Domestic Law

OLLI is hosting a special seminar on July 31 from 10 a.m. to Noon on Zoom titled "The Role of the Military in Domestic Law Enforcement," taught by Dr. Michael Baker.

In this seminar, we will look at the Constitution, especially the 10th Amendment, the Insurrection Act of 1807, and the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878. The military has been used domestically to safeguard civil rights marchers, intervene when requested by governors during violent riots, to stop the Bonus March on Washington in 1932, and to imprison Japanese civilians during World War II. Who is in today's military, where do they come from, how do they line up politically-and would they follow an illegal order and fire on unarmed civilian demonstrators or support a government coup?

Dr. Baker recently retired from a 40-year career in general, vascular, and trauma surgery. He also served 30 years in the uniform of his country and retired with the rank of rear admiral and has numerous kudos, including three Legion of Merit Awards, the Combat Action Ribbon and River and Coastal Patrol Officer-in-Charge warfare pin.

Registration is $15. All community members are welcome to attend.