12. Previous Presidents Used the Insurrection Act 28 Times
Trump’s assertion that recent U.S. presidents have invoked the Insurrection Act “28 times” is a clear misstatement of historical fact. In reality, no president has invoked the Insurrection Act anywhere near that many times. The most frequent user of the Insurrection Act was President Ulysses S. Grant, who invoked it six times in the post-Civil War era to suppress uprisings and maintain order in Southern states. Trump’s claim that the act has been used 28 times is grossly exaggerated and misrepresents the law’s application. The Insurrection Act is a powerful tool that gives the president the authority to send military forces to quell domestic disturbances, but its use has been rare throughout American history.
Trump’s number of 28 is likely a misinterpretation or exaggeration, as the act has only been invoked a handful of times since its creation. Moreover, the legal and historical context of the Insurrection Act is complex, and its use is typically reserved for exceptional circumstances, not routine presidential actions.