President Trump says he would invoke the Insurrection Act 'if it was necessary'

WASHINGTON ‒ President Donald Trump said he would consider invoking the Insurrection Act to send the military into cities if courts block his deployment of National Guard troops.

“I’d do it if it was necessary. So far, it hasn't been necessary. But we have an Insurrection Act for a reason. If I had to enact it, I'd do that," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Oct. 6.

The Insurrection Act, invoked only 30 times in American history, gives the president the power to deploy U.S. armed forces to suppress rebellions and civil unrest when federal laws are being obstructed.

Trump's remarks come as his deployment of federal troops to protect federal buildings and crack down on crime has faced setbacks in court and invited new legal challenges from Democrats.

More: National Guard troops in limbo as Trump battles courts over Chicago, Portland deployments