Risa Brooks
@risabrooks12.bsky.social
Marquette Prof studying U.S. and comparative civil-military relations, political violence & armed forces in democracies and non-democracies.
Hopefully, this all remains hypothetical. But given everything else, I am worried. /end
January 25, 2026 at 5:15 PM
Hopefully, this all remains hypothetical. But given everything else, I am worried. /end
The Pentagon's civilian ldrs seem unlikely to counsel restraint.
Example: see how H avoids answering directly when asked by Sen. Hirono during his confirmation hearing abt whether he would oppose orders to shoot protesters (like Esper did in 2020).6/
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Example: see how H avoids answering directly when asked by Sen. Hirono during his confirmation hearing abt whether he would oppose orders to shoot protesters (like Esper did in 2020).6/
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Column | Pete Hegseth seems open to ordering soldiers to shoot protesters
Trump’s pick to lead the Defense Department indicates he would be willing to do what Mark Esper refused to do.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 25, 2026 at 5:14 PM
The Pentagon's civilian ldrs seem unlikely to counsel restraint.
Example: see how H avoids answering directly when asked by Sen. Hirono during his confirmation hearing abt whether he would oppose orders to shoot protesters (like Esper did in 2020).6/
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Example: see how H avoids answering directly when asked by Sen. Hirono during his confirmation hearing abt whether he would oppose orders to shoot protesters (like Esper did in 2020).6/
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Also worth remembering, if reg military is deployed w/ Insurrection Act it will need to follow the law, but can be asked to carry out legal law enforcement activities putting troops in direct contact with civilians.5/
Mil commanders are likely to act cautiously, BUT . . .
Mil commanders are likely to act cautiously, BUT . . .
January 25, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Also worth remembering, if reg military is deployed w/ Insurrection Act it will need to follow the law, but can be asked to carry out legal law enforcement activities putting troops in direct contact with civilians.5/
Mil commanders are likely to act cautiously, BUT . . .
Mil commanders are likely to act cautiously, BUT . . .
As for the lgr military, this will divide Americans views of it. No matter what service members do, some ppl will see following any orders as complicity in the ICE agenda. Others will applaud the deployment. Polarizing attitudes abt the military is a feature not a bug of the admin's goals. 4/
January 25, 2026 at 5:13 PM
As for the lgr military, this will divide Americans views of it. No matter what service members do, some ppl will see following any orders as complicity in the ICE agenda. Others will applaud the deployment. Polarizing attitudes abt the military is a feature not a bug of the admin's goals. 4/
Also, while service members are well trained, they are not immune from societal divisions. Some may sympathize w observers/protesters & others w/ ICE. Normally troops keep pol views private while serving, but such a high pressure situation cld lead to breakdowns in discipline or perhaps worse. 3/
January 25, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Also, while service members are well trained, they are not immune from societal divisions. Some may sympathize w observers/protesters & others w/ ICE. Normally troops keep pol views private while serving, but such a high pressure situation cld lead to breakdowns in discipline or perhaps worse. 3/
Baseline is U.S. military would aim to comport itself professionally unlike ICE. Still it is not trained for these ops., doesn't work w/ law enforcement normally & this is a pressure cooker of a situation
See 1992 incident in LA when Marines fire into a house due to a miscommunication w/police: 2/
See 1992 incident in LA when Marines fire into a house due to a miscommunication w/police: 2/
January 25, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Baseline is U.S. military would aim to comport itself professionally unlike ICE. Still it is not trained for these ops., doesn't work w/ law enforcement normally & this is a pressure cooker of a situation
See 1992 incident in LA when Marines fire into a house due to a miscommunication w/police: 2/
See 1992 incident in LA when Marines fire into a house due to a miscommunication w/police: 2/
Hopefully, this all remains hypothetical. But given everything else, I am worried. /end
January 25, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Hopefully, this all remains hypothetical. But given everything else, I am worried. /end
The Pentagon's civilian ldrs seem unlikely to counsel restraint.
For example, see how H avoids answering directly when asked by Sen. Hirono during his confirmation hearing abt whether he would oppose orders to shoot protesters (like Esper did in 2020).6/
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
For example, see how H avoids answering directly when asked by Sen. Hirono during his confirmation hearing abt whether he would oppose orders to shoot protesters (like Esper did in 2020).6/
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Column | Pete Hegseth seems open to ordering soldiers to shoot protesters
Trump’s pick to lead the Defense Department indicates he would be willing to do what Mark Esper refused to do.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 25, 2026 at 4:55 PM
The Pentagon's civilian ldrs seem unlikely to counsel restraint.
For example, see how H avoids answering directly when asked by Sen. Hirono during his confirmation hearing abt whether he would oppose orders to shoot protesters (like Esper did in 2020).6/
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
For example, see how H avoids answering directly when asked by Sen. Hirono during his confirmation hearing abt whether he would oppose orders to shoot protesters (like Esper did in 2020).6/
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Also worth remembering, if reg military is deployed w/ Insurrection Act it will need to follow the law, but can be asked to carry out legal law enforcement activities putting troops in direct contact with civilians.5/
Mil commanders are likely to act cautiously, BUT . . .
Mil commanders are likely to act cautiously, BUT . . .
January 25, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Also worth remembering, if reg military is deployed w/ Insurrection Act it will need to follow the law, but can be asked to carry out legal law enforcement activities putting troops in direct contact with civilians.5/
Mil commanders are likely to act cautiously, BUT . . .
Mil commanders are likely to act cautiously, BUT . . .
As for the lgr military, this will divide Americans views of it. No matter what service members do, some ppl will see following any orders as complicity in the ICE agenda. Others will applaud the deployment. Polarizing attitudes abt the military is a feature not a bug of the admin's goals. 4/
January 25, 2026 at 4:55 PM
As for the lgr military, this will divide Americans views of it. No matter what service members do, some ppl will see following any orders as complicity in the ICE agenda. Others will applaud the deployment. Polarizing attitudes abt the military is a feature not a bug of the admin's goals. 4/
Also, while service members are well trained, they are not immune from societal divisions. Some may sympathize w observers/protesters & others w/ ICE. Normally troops keep pol views private while serving, but such a high pressure situation cld lead to breakdowns in discipline or perhaps worse. 3/
January 25, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Also, while service members are well trained, they are not immune from societal divisions. Some may sympathize w observers/protesters & others w/ ICE. Normally troops keep pol views private while serving, but such a high pressure situation cld lead to breakdowns in discipline or perhaps worse. 3/
"Is [Hegseth] itching to get the U.S. military into the streets, to back up ICE’s undertrained civilians with professional soldiers and heavier hardware?"
If T invokes Insurrection Act & sends mil to MN, as some allies have been pushing, what might happen?1/
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
If T invokes Insurrection Act & sends mil to MN, as some allies have been pushing, what might happen?1/
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Pete Hegseth Should Stay Out of Minneapolis
By inserting himself into the situation in Minnesota, the secretary of defense is only making things worse.
www.theatlantic.com
January 25, 2026 at 4:55 PM
"Is [Hegseth] itching to get the U.S. military into the streets, to back up ICE’s undertrained civilians with professional soldiers and heavier hardware?"
If T invokes Insurrection Act & sends mil to MN, as some allies have been pushing, what might happen?1/
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
If T invokes Insurrection Act & sends mil to MN, as some allies have been pushing, what might happen?1/
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
I should add that I am sure that some in the audience saw things for what they are and were appalled/alarmed. I am also confident that lots of retirees are very worried.
January 18, 2026 at 9:35 PM
I should add that I am sure that some in the audience saw things for what they are and were appalled/alarmed. I am also confident that lots of retirees are very worried.
You know my bias on this one, Steve.
January 18, 2026 at 7:37 PM
You know my bias on this one, Steve.
I hope you are right.
January 18, 2026 at 7:34 PM
I hope you are right.
I worry those blinders are on pretty tightly. My only hope is that there is more going on behind the scenes than we know. I wonder for example about why T backed off Insurrection Act (for now) & if those characters played a role. So, while they are preparing to implement, maybe they are advising ag/
January 18, 2026 at 7:30 PM
I worry those blinders are on pretty tightly. My only hope is that there is more going on behind the scenes than we know. I wonder for example about why T backed off Insurrection Act (for now) & if those characters played a role. So, while they are preparing to implement, maybe they are advising ag/
Yes-enabling all sorts of bad things, including also strategic failure in war.
January 18, 2026 at 7:08 PM
Yes-enabling all sorts of bad things, including also strategic failure in war.
If you are unfamiliar with what I mean by "Huntingtonian mode" and want to know more, see link to article here (ungated):
direct.mit.edu/isec/article...
direct.mit.edu/isec/article...
January 18, 2026 at 7:02 PM
If you are unfamiliar with what I mean by "Huntingtonian mode" and want to know more, see link to article here (ungated):
direct.mit.edu/isec/article...
direct.mit.edu/isec/article...
I increasingly wonder if US civ-mil is now operating in full Huntingtonian mode: civilians dictate political goals & mil leaders advise on technical/tactical options to implement them while siloed off from the political implications or wisdom of that advice.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Pentagon readies 1,500 soldiers to possibly deploy to Minnesota, officials say
Troops with the Army’s 11th Airborne Division in Alaska are preparing after President Donald Trump’s Insurrection Act threat, according to defense officials.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 18, 2026 at 6:57 PM
I increasingly wonder if US civ-mil is now operating in full Huntingtonian mode: civilians dictate political goals & mil leaders advise on technical/tactical options to implement them while siloed off from the political implications or wisdom of that advice.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Reposted by Risa Brooks
Mandatory reading for everyone across the DoD (and across the country, for that matter).
Whether someone agrees or disagrees with it is beside the point.
Things are far more likely to get worse before they get better.
The fundamental question will then be whether or not we can ever recover.
Whether someone agrees or disagrees with it is beside the point.
Things are far more likely to get worse before they get better.
The fundamental question will then be whether or not we can ever recover.
In this new piece, I discuss the current state of politicization of the US military and efforts by civilian leadership to advance that project.
I argue that there is a common logic, although not master plan, underlying civilian efforts.1/
Link here (no paywall): online.ucpress.edu/currenthisto...
I argue that there is a common logic, although not master plan, underlying civilian efforts.1/
Link here (no paywall): online.ucpress.edu/currenthisto...
Volume 125 Issue 867 | Current History | University of California Press
online.ucpress.edu
January 10, 2026 at 3:51 PM
Mandatory reading for everyone across the DoD (and across the country, for that matter).
Whether someone agrees or disagrees with it is beside the point.
Things are far more likely to get worse before they get better.
The fundamental question will then be whether or not we can ever recover.
Whether someone agrees or disagrees with it is beside the point.
Things are far more likely to get worse before they get better.
The fundamental question will then be whether or not we can ever recover.
Often missed is how using the military in highly contested domestic security missions (immigration, crime, anti protest) enables politicization. Involving the military in controversial missions is a central tactic for politicizing it--it's a feature, not a bug of civilian politicization. 3/end
January 9, 2026 at 8:39 PM
Often missed is how using the military in highly contested domestic security missions (immigration, crime, anti protest) enables politicization. Involving the military in controversial missions is a central tactic for politicizing it--it's a feature, not a bug of civilian politicization. 3/end
First, civ ldrs seek to neutralize military opposition to using its coercive & symbolic resources for anti-democratic purposes. Second, they aim to turn the military into a partisan ally by altering incentives, norms and forcing out those who oppose serving in a politicized military. 2/
January 9, 2026 at 8:39 PM
First, civ ldrs seek to neutralize military opposition to using its coercive & symbolic resources for anti-democratic purposes. Second, they aim to turn the military into a partisan ally by altering incentives, norms and forcing out those who oppose serving in a politicized military. 2/
In this new piece, I discuss the current state of politicization of the US military and efforts by civilian leadership to advance that project.
I argue that there is a common logic, although not master plan, underlying civilian efforts.1/
Link here (no paywall): online.ucpress.edu/currenthisto...
I argue that there is a common logic, although not master plan, underlying civilian efforts.1/
Link here (no paywall): online.ucpress.edu/currenthisto...
Volume 125 Issue 867 | Current History | University of California Press
online.ucpress.edu
January 9, 2026 at 8:39 PM
In this new piece, I discuss the current state of politicization of the US military and efforts by civilian leadership to advance that project.
I argue that there is a common logic, although not master plan, underlying civilian efforts.1/
Link here (no paywall): online.ucpress.edu/currenthisto...
I argue that there is a common logic, although not master plan, underlying civilian efforts.1/
Link here (no paywall): online.ucpress.edu/currenthisto...
Reposted by Risa Brooks
In our final Wednesday Seminar of the semester, Risa Brooks will discuss how political leaders transform professional militaries into partisan aligned forces in eroding democracies.
📡Bookmark the livestream
https://youtube.com/live/xP1o4ATVRRQ?feature=share
@risabrooks12.bsky.social
📡Bookmark the livestream
https://youtube.com/live/xP1o4ATVRRQ?feature=share
@risabrooks12.bsky.social
December 5, 2025 at 10:00 PM
In our final Wednesday Seminar of the semester, Risa Brooks will discuss how political leaders transform professional militaries into partisan aligned forces in eroding democracies.
📡Bookmark the livestream
https://youtube.com/live/xP1o4ATVRRQ?feature=share
@risabrooks12.bsky.social
📡Bookmark the livestream
https://youtube.com/live/xP1o4ATVRRQ?feature=share
@risabrooks12.bsky.social
They are great. There is so much to learn and teach.
November 4, 2025 at 3:52 PM
They are great. There is so much to learn and teach.