“We share the concerns of Tacoma residents about the increased deployment of U.S. military domestically. As deployments expand to more cities, including Portland, Oregon here in the Pacific Northwest, we feel it is more important than ever to affirm that maintaining a clear distinction between civilian-led public safety and military action is a foundational principle of a democratic society.
The City of Tacoma has joined an amicus brief in a case that affirms the constitutional right of local and state governments to control their own law enforcement and prevent unauthorized military deployment in our communities. The brief joins our city with municipalities across the nation, including Seattle, Washington; Iowa City, Iowa; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We, in Tacoma, are not alone in our belief that turning the military into a domestic police force against our own communities is a dangerous precedent and, at its core, unconstitutional.
Tacoma joined this brief because fundamental constitutional principles are at stake. This case addresses the clear line our Constitution draws between military and civilian power—a separation that protects communities and reinforces the right of residents to have a say in how they are policed.
It is critical that decision-making remains firmly in the hands of civilian governments, which are directly accountable to the people they serve. This framework of civilian control ensures that the goal of law enforcement is to protect and serve communities, rather than to achieve military-style objectives. Most importantly, it guarantees that those most affected by public safety decisions—especially individuals from underrepresented communities—have a meaningful voice in shaping policies that reflect their values and needs.
Tacoma is proud to stand with cities across the country in defending this foundational element of our democracy.”