US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

10 U.S.C. § 253

Interference with State and Federal law

The President, by using the militia or the armed forces, or both, or by any other means, shall take such measures as he considers necessary to suppress, in a State, any insurrection, domestic violence, unlawful combination, or conspiracy, if it—
(1)
so hinders the execution of the laws of that State, and of the United States within the State, that any part or class of its people is deprived of a right, privilege, immunity, or protection named in the Constitution and secured by law, and the constituted authorities of that State are unable, fail, or refuse to protect that right, privilege, or immunity, or to give that protection; or
(2)
opposes or obstructs the execution of the laws of the United States or impedes the course of justice under those laws.
In any situation covered by clause (1), the State shall be considered to have denied the equal protection of the laws secured by the Constitution.

Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 104170A Stat. 15Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title X, § 1076(a)(1)120 Stat. 2404Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title X, § 1068(a)(1)122 Stat. 325Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title XII, § 1241(a)(2)130 Stat. 2497(, , § 333; , , ; , , ; renumbered § 253, , , .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section

Source (U.S. Code)

Source (Statutes at Large)

333

50:203.

R.S. 5299.

The words “armed forces” are substituted for the words “land or naval forces of the United States”. The word “shall” is substituted for the words “it shall be lawful for * * * and it shall be his duty”.

Derivation

Act Apr. 20, 1871, ch. 22, § 317 Stat. 14, .

Editorial Notes

Codification

section 240c of this titleAnother section 253 was renumbered .

Amendments

Pub. L. 114–328section 333 of this title2016— renumbered as this section.

Pub. L. 110–1812008— amended section generally, substituting provisions directing the President to suppress certain insurrections and domestic violence in a State for provisions authorizing the President to employ the armed forces during a natural disaster or terrorist attack or to suppress an insurrection in a State and requiring notice to Congress during the exercise of such authority.

Pub. L. 109–3642006— amended section catchline and text generally, substituting provisions authorizing the President to employ the armed forces during a natural disaster or terrorist attack or to suppress an insurrection in a State and requiring notice to Congress during the exercise of such authority for provisions directing the President to suppress certain insurrections and domestic violence in a State.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2008 Amendment

Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title X, § 1068(d)122 Stat. 326

section 2567 of this title“The amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 334 and 12304 of this title and repealing ] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [].”
, , , provided that: