The Posse Comitatus Act Explained
Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast
02/14/26
•14m
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Why the U.S. military isn’t supposed to enforce civilian law — and when that rule breaks down.
Passed in 1878, the Posse Comitatus Act was designed to limit the federal government’s use of the U.S. military in domestic law enforcement. The law emerged amid the tensions of Reconstruction, when federal troops were regularly deployed to maintain order in the former Confederate states.
In this episode, learn why lawmakers drew a sharp line between soldiers and police, what the Posse Comitatus Act actually prohibits, and the major exceptions that complicate its enforcement. I also explore how the law has been interpreted over time - and why things get confusing when the National Guard gets involved.
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Run to Freedom: The Nez Perce War
February 7
•15m
Over the span of four months, several small bands of Nez Perce tried in vain to escape the clutches of the United States government. Traveling over a one thousand miles, hundreds of Nez Perce outmaneuvered the military, only to be forced into surrender less than one hundred miles from the Canadian border. What brought on the conflict between the two sides? And why does the Nez Perce fly under the radar? Tune in to find out.
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Join me as I welcome historian and media literacy expert Dr. Vaughn Joy to discuss her book Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy. The book explores the evolution of Christmas films during the post-war era, paying close attention to the years 1945-1961. Join us as we explore the significance of Christmas as a cultural lens, the impact of the HUAC investigations on Hollywood storytelling, and the contrast in career trajectories of two iconic directors Frank Capra and Walt Disney.
When you are finished with this episode, be sure to pick up a copy of the book for free through open access or via my bookshop.org affiliate shop.
And be sure to subscribe to Black and White and Read All Over for Dr. Joy's Review Roulette and so much more!
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