Assignment task: Course: HLS Law and Policy Prompt:
It has always been assumed that the President, and indeed all members of Congress, would act in good faith and in the best interest of the country. As a result, broad authority-- such as the Insurrection Act-- has been viewed as relatively benign. It's a fair question whether that's a sufficient safeguard or whether a politician might utilize extraordinary power for political gain. Do you think the Insurrection Act affords too much power to a single person (i.e. the President)? Should it be revoked or amended? If you want to revoke the Insurrection Act, keep in mind, there is at least theoretically (and historically) a sound national security basis for its use. If you want to amend it, how would you change the law to make sure the Insurrection Act could not be utilized by a President for personal gain or to punish political opponents?